Demos pledge 'backbone' in '04 campaigns - convention

[baby_bear]

Did anyone go to the WA state convention?
I was glad to read that Talmadge was there a gave a "fiery" speech. I was so disappointed that he had to drop out.

http://www.kgw.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8313TQG0.html

<snip>

A 75-foot-long puppet — in the form of a backbone — illustrated the state Democrats' scrappy theme for the fall campaigns.

Delegates at the state Democratic Convention jumped to their feet on Saturday, cheering as puppeteers danced through the aisles and speakers urged the party to boldly advocate for change, rather than cooperating with Republicans at the state and national levels.
...
Democratic Chairman Paul Berendt described the party's ideas as specific and bold. He decided to broaden the convention's appeal to include liberal activists who fueled the campaigns of Howard Dean and Dennis Kucinich in the presidential primaries and caucuses.

"I'm trying to honor the left," he said in an interview. "The point of the backbone puppet, from a national grass-roots group called the Backbone Campaign (from Vashon Island), is that politicians should stand up for Democratic principles. There are fundamental differences in the parties." And so the "backbone" puppet paraded through the hall.
...
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who's seeking a third-term, said Democrats need to speak out on everything from misadventures abroad to mounting domestic problems. "It's about speaking up and speaking out," she said in a keynote address. "Everything we as Democrats want for our country is at stake."

</snip>

Personally, I like seeing the state party veer to the left. We've had too much "centrist" Democratic non-leadership the last 8 years, in my opinion. I admire Sims for coming out for a state income tax. Most politicians are terrified to even discuss the concept.

s_m

[geniph]

1. You should see the state delegation to National!

We're a very left-wing bunch - it's refreshing to see after so many years of centrist policies. And that's the Kerry delegates - I'm sure the Dean and Kucinich delegates are even more so.

The Backbone Campaign is great. If you don't have one of their bumperstickers, go to their website and get one! (They read, Got Spine?) I wholeheartedly agree with their goals and was happy to see several members of the National delegation wearing their T-shirts. Enough doormat Democrats!

Talmadge's speech was excellent.

[flamingyouth]

2. More power to you all

You're representing MANY of us in spirit, believe me! :D

[ashling]

3. my daughter is going to be a page for Washington