Link to convention agenda

[SharonRB]

http://www.michigandems.com/convention/agenda.pdf


Since I've never gone before, I'm not sure how this works. When it says delegates and alternates register for 2-day credentials on Sunday morning, does that mean everyone as long as you're a member or do you have to be a selected delegate? Sunday is mostly caucuses, with speeches and rallies with the governor and Stabenow. Can anyone go to the caucuses and do you just select which ones you want to go to?

Sorry I'm so ignorant about this, but I have no clue.

[islander]

1. Here's the highlights (I think):

Don't feel bad; I've been to state conventions, and I'm a little confused by the 2-day schedule -- I was just on the phone yesterday talking to president of the Trenton Democrats, trying to figure this out. (My employer told me a couple of days ago that I have to fly to Chicago that Sunday -- that's making a mess of my weekend!) Let's try to hit the important points:

1) To vote, you have to have been an MDP member for 30 days or be a precinct delegate. Not both. For members, you just show them your membership card, and they give you a nametag and convention program.

2) Most of the Saturday morning interest-group caucuses are pretty informal. Show up at whatever ones you think are interesting. If you decide to formally "join" the caucus (which often just means "join the mailng list"), they'll probably hand you a form on the spot. Often, there's nothing to vote on, the big decisions having been made pre-Convention.

3) For the District caucuses, you obviously only get to vote in your district's caucus. District caucuses can be used to suggest motions (usually platform planks) for a convention-wide vote -- if two (I think it's two) caucuses nominate the same motion, it goes to the convention floor. In practice, the Powers That Be usually select all the "new" motions before hand, so nothing crazy gets through to the floor.

4) Here's where I get confused -- in the one-day conventions, the schedule is "interest group caucus, district caucus, speeches, floor votes". This two-day schedule looks like the floor votes are being held back until Sunday (because there's nothing Saturday's schedule after the district caucuses), but I've haven't found anybody to confirm that for me officially.

5) I think that "party structure & rules training" session on Sunday is the new training session for precinct delegates that the party's been promising.

That's all I can really tell you. I'm not really an expert.

[SharonRB]

3. Thanks.

This is very helpful. I didn't want to get down there and then find out I could only go on Sunday. I realized that the district caucuses were just for your own district, but wasn't sure if they were open to everyone.

It says lunch is provided on Saturday. I assume there must be some kind of charge for that, at least.

I am planning to go down there both days. I definitely want to be there for the speeches and it looks like voting must be on Sunday.

[islander]

4. Lunch is free, actually.

At least it has been at the state conventions I've been to.

I'll warn you, though: They actually ran out of food last summer. (Apparently, it was a bigger-than-usual crowd for an non-election year.) All I got for lunch was an apple and a can of Coke!

[SharonRB]

5. LOL -- I'll have to pack a snack, just in case.

[JordanLFW]

2. When to vote..?

When would the votes be?

Not sure if I'll feel like driving to Cobo and back TWICE, I might just go one day.

[islander]

6. I got the voting schedule today!

It was in the handout I got at the 14th District Convention today. In summary, it says:

Saturday, 3PM-6PM, we'll be voting to select candidates for:

State Board of Education
University of Michigan Board of Regents
Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Wayne State University Board of Governors

(We have to pick 2 candidates each for those.)

Sunday, 9AM-6PM, we'll be voting on the party platform and selecting candidates for:

Michigan Supreme Court Justices (2 candidates)
Secretary of State
Attorney General
Lieutenant Governor

It sounds like a ridiculous amount of time, but there will be a lot of speeches, both by candidates and people introducing candidates. That can really drag it out.

[SharonRB]

7. We vote for a candidate for Lieutenant Governor?

I though John Cherry was a given. What's up with that?

[islander]

8. It's just a formality.

If I understand correctly, MDP rules say we have to vote on any position that's not on the primary ballot. (State law might require it too, come to think of it.)

There will be a speech, someone will nominate him, and we'll all yell "Aye!". That's pretty much it.

[livvy]

9. Question on candidates

How does one find out info on those in the running. I'm sure we'll hear lots about them at the convention, but do you know of a site that has info that I could look at before we go?

[SharonRB]

10. Hey, livvy

I got my mailing yesterday.

Check out my thread about the new blogger caucus that's been added from 10-12. I got an e-mail from lpackard about it (Stabenow's Internet Communications Director we met at the picnic). I think I'll get down there early enough for it. Maybe you can just meet me there whenever you get there. I'm sure it won't be a problem if you walk in late.

[islander]

20. Be someplace they're handing out literature.

Seriously. Go to district meetings and get yourself on mailing lists. It's about the only way to find out pre-convention stuff about the low-profile offices.

For example, off the top of my head (and the campaign lit sitting nearest my computer), I know the U-M Regent candidates are Katherine White (an incumbent), Julia Darlow, and Denise Ilitch. (That's 3 candidates running for 2 slots.) I know Debbie Dingell is running for Wayne State Board of Governors. I can't remember anybody else right now.

I'll look around my house to see if I've got any more info.

[UrbScotty]

21. More candidates

Incumbents include White, Michael Cavanagh for Supreme Court, Reginald Turner for State Board of Ed., and Eugene Driker for WSU Board of Governors. I don't know who amongst the above will actually run.

As for MSU Board... two Republicans are seeking re-election. Three Democrats are running for two nominations: Mike Murphy, Faylene Owen, and George Perles (yes, that George Perles). Michigan Liberal has more on that race.

[livvy]

23. Thanks!

I've looked at Murphy and Owen, and Perles through the MichLib.

[livvy]

22. Well, Debbie will get my vote. What a fireball!

Darlow looks pretty good. She certainly has a lot of experience and has received some nice awards (S. Truth, etc.)
I'll have to see what I can find out about White and Ilitch.
Thanks for the info. If you find anything else, or have any recommendations let me know. I'll take your advice while I'm there, also.

[UrbScotty]

24. Kathy White's website

www.friendsofkathywhite.com

[livvy]

25. This certainly helps her in my book:

Supporters include...

Congressman John Conyers

Thanks!

[UrbScotty]

26. All of the Dem regents support White and Darlow (nt)

[islander]

28. All 3 UM Regent candidates showed up at my district convention

I was most impressed by White and Darlow. Ilitch's campaigning seemed half-hearted at best.

I started working for the University last year; Ilitch seemed to be the least-informed about the research institute I'm with. White, on the other hand, seemed downright excited to meet a University employee.

[noamnety]

11. lwfern's convention demands

(I have to work this weekend; I won't be there.)

1. Geoffrey Fieger and his offensive racist and sexist scumcrap needs to be kicked out of the running for Attorney General. Exporting our child molesters to nonwhite, nonwestern countries is NOT an acceptable way to "protect American children."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1960826

Alright, that's it, just the one demand.

The libertarian candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Scotty Bowman, (not that it matters), is a teacher I subbed for - as an unpaid sub. He was my daughter's teacher, and he would just not show up for school in the mornings some days. Actually a lot of days. He wouldn't call to say he was running late; he just didn't show up, leaving the class locked out of his room standing in the hallway. It was bad enough that even though I had a full time job, I went and talked to the administration to say call me if he doesn't show up; if I can take time off from my regular job (down the street), I'll stop in and at least run the class for free. With them being first hour, there was not enough notice to get a sub there in time. The very next day, the school called and asked me to come in, because he hadn't shown up again. The school finally got rid of him. I don't know if he had a drug problem or just was supremely not affected by a work ethic. We are appalled he's got the nerve to run for anything, in any party.

[SharonRB]

12. I thought he was running against Amos Williams for Atty General

I'm already planning to vote for Amos, so no problem there.

Also, Geoffrey is running? I thought it was just Scott Bowen and Amos.

[noamnety]

13. Apparently he's running.

unless he dropped out and it wasn't updated on DU or wikipedia:

from http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_oet&address=358x1680:

Attorney General

Scott Bowen (D)
Former District Court Judge
Campaign Website: http://www.bowen4ag.com

Geoffrey Feiger (D)
Attorney
Campaign Website: ?

Amos Williams (D)
Attorney
Campaign Website: http://www.amoswilliams.com

Michael Cox (R) Incumbent
Attorney General
Campaign Website: http://www.mikecox2006.com

Bill Hall (L)
Campaign Website: http://billhall.lpwm.org

NOTE: Each state party will choose its nominees for Secretary of State and Attorney General in conventions in late August rather than in the August 8 primary.

Wikipedia: "He has announced his candidacy for the office of the Attorney General of Michigan in 2006." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_fieger

[SharonRB]

14. Interesting

I hadn't seen anything to that effect. And Scott Bowen is running for AG, not Lieutenant Governor, as in your previous post. Sorry you can't make it.

[noamnety]

15. Bowen vs. Bowman

They are two separate people, both with the first name Scott, both running for office. Please don't think I was talking about Bowen!

[SharonRB]

16. LOL -- sorry!

I thought you just got his name wrong. So, Scott Bowman (same name as former Red Wings coach) is running against Cherry for Lt. Gov? What's the point, I wonder?

[noamnety]

17. I assume he wants to legalize pot. *shrug*

Just going by his bloodshot eyes, inability to show up for work, and the fact that he's running as a libertarian.

I'm trying to figure out if Fieger withdrew at some point - it's odd that he doesn't have a website, and I think he got indicted for campaign contributions at some point. I sent a LTTE about Fieger's performance on Scarborough to the free press today.

[SharonRB]

18. I'll watch for it

I'll bet he dropped out.

[livvy]

19. Sounds like a couple of reasonable demands to me. :)

Thanks for the info!

[One Sweet World]

27. Convention Webcast Available

If you can't attend the convention in person, the Granholm campaign has set up a live webcast on her website. http://www.granholmforgov.com/site/PageNavigator/convention