meet up at state convention

[dembotoz]

ran into class warrior last night at the darling recall party.
we both agreed that it was time for a meet up and the state convention was the logical place to do it.
So it is in Milwaukee. On site or off?????

[sybylla]

1. Last time we tried one in Milwaukee, it was a long way off-site

It was nice, but might be better attended if it was at least within walking distance. Some don't know Milwaukee that well. Others have mobility issues or can't get that far away from the hotel for other reasons.

Is there a good place on-site that won't already be crowded with convention goers??

[goddess40]

3. we could walk over to the Hilton

I do like their bar and the have good food, seems to me their bloodies were tasty too.

[sybylla]

5. They do have good food and drinks at the Hilton

I wonder if they have an event that weekend, too. Seems silly to leave one busy hotel to go to another.

[ClassWarrior]

2. Good to see you last night, dembotoz. We thought about...

...suggesting the Riverwest Public House, where the Darling party was held. It's one of only two co-op taverns in the US, and a real friendly place. But it's some distance from the convention, which might be a hassle, as sybylla said.

I'll do some looking downtown, closer to the convention hall, and if anyone has any suggestions, please chime in here.

NGU.

[dembotoz]

4. i guess a more basic question would be how many folks

are planning to go to the convention as delegates?

[sybylla]

7. 2 here

MadAsHell and I will be there.

[PeaceNikki]

8. I filled out the "I wanna be a delegate" form but didn't hear anything.

Guess I'm not, huh? I has a sad. :(

[dembotoz]

10. check with the party--you very well could be

seems that you could sign up either via local party or website.

this could create some confusion
I know in our county we had some surprise delegates-not that this was bad because we always have more slots than people....

so you may have a name tag with your name on it-perhaps

check on it.

[ClassWarrior]

17. They may have signed you up. Ask. And realize you still need to register...

...for admission to the convention - even if you're signed up to be a delegate. I know, it's confusing.

NGU.

[PeaceNikki]

20. I was registered before I asked to be a delegate... and now I'm both.

See you guys tomorrow!!

[dragonlady]

9. 2 more

Dragongentleman and I are going.

[dembotoz]

6. kick--by now you should at least know whether or not your are a delegate

[Kashka-Kat]

11. Well they say there's no such thing as a "dumb" question so here goes...

How does one get involved with, or be a part of shaping the direction of the Dem Party...?

Do you think the Wis Dem Party is, or will emerge as something unique and distinct from the natl Dem Party (unkindly characterized by my Green Party friends as 'republican lite.'?) I happened to go back and read up on Progressive history and WOW. So much of their early platform is so freakin applicable today I was stunned - things like honesty & transparency in government, curbing the excesses of corporate power & greed, progressive taxation, pro-labor workplace and safety regulations, etc. (Of course other things were peculiar to the early 1900s - it was a fun read.) The Dem Party needs to state in no uncertain terms that THIS is what we are fighting for.

Here's another thought, in this topsy turvy world we now live in, we have actually become "conservative" - in the literal original sense of the word I mean - not wanting to break with old tried and true Wisconsin Progressive tradition - maybe that's why we're so fighting mad here, we are defending something deeply engrained in us.

Anyway, back to my original question. IMHO, our system is not structured in a way that third parties can succeed - that being the case, I want to put my energy into something that is more likely to have results.

[sybylla]

12. We have an exceedingly progressive platform in WI - probably the most progressive in the country

You can download a copy of the platform from the DPW website - http://www.wisdems.org - and read it for yourself. You can also find it in the Wisconsin Blue Book, if you have one handy.

Getting involved enough to keep it that way and continue pushing it that way is easy. Just pay your dues to become a member and work with your county party organization. Our platform and the resolutions we pass every year at convention are the framework for the direction of the party. Those start with our county party organizations, who craft resolutions on various issues beginning in February for discussion at district conventions. From there, the 10 best go on to the state convention

That said, do Democratic legislators always adhere to our platform? No. The platform is a statement of ideals that don't always fit perfectly into the realities of an imperfect world - or congressional district. If the Republicans get their way with redistricting this year, it will make it even harder to run as a true progressive in this state.

Getting involved can make a difference.

There are over 10,000 of us engaged in the battle as members of the party and that number is growing. Thousands of us helped with the rallies and marches. Thousands of us worked with the recall efforts. The party itself lent its resources and support to both. And they continue to support our recall candidates. How much of this would have happened if we weren't engaged and pushing for grassroots efforts on the ground?

We need your energy. Our two-party system is flawed and sometimes seems designed to make cynics out of us all. But those are the rules of the game right now. If we're going to win, we need every player willing to step forward.

If you're in the Milwaukee area, you can come to join us at the convention and register as a guest. You don't need to be a member of the party. That's exactly how I first got my feet wet in party politics back in 2001.

[Jackpine Radical]

15. You'll generally find that your county Dem Party members are very progressive.

The party membership is generally 'way out in front of the politicians, especially the national ones. Party activities (meetings, fundraisers, teaching events, etc.) are great places to meet & hang out with politically like-minded people.

[midnight]

13. This sounds like a lot of fun...

[dembotoz]

14. you can prepay on the wisdems website and save a buck or 2

that might be ending today.

[ClassWarrior]

16. Yup. Early bird savings ended yesterday. A few ideas on where to meet...

There's a loud sports bar called Major Goolsby's across the street from the hotel. I'd probably avoid that place.

There are three restaurants across another street, the Calderone Club, Thai Palace and The King and I. I'll see if one has a lounge. The noise level of a restaurant might be perfect for political conversation.

There's also block of bars about a block away from the hotel. That includes Buck Bradley's, the Old German Beer Hall and others. Again, they may be loud.

I'll do some further investigating.

NGU.

[sybylla]

18. Do we have a place yet?

I'd love to check in with my favorite liberals Friday night.

[PeaceNikki]

19. I am, in fact, a delegate for Waukesha County!

:bounce:

So, let's make it happen. I've met dembotoz and ClassWarrior and dozens of other WI DUers but nobody else in this thread yet.

[ClassWarrior]

21. Here's what I know, syb and WI-DU...

I never got a chance to stop down and visit the Thai and Italian restaurants across the street from the Hyatt. But if my research on the web is any indication, they close about 11 p.m., which will be useless to us.

And now the Friday night speeches are going to be at the Frontier Airlines Center (the former Midwest Express Center), so being right across from the Hyatt isn't as important. Thus, we have several options:

1) We could go to the bar at the Hilton, as goddess suggests. That's across the street from the Frontier Airlines Center.

2) We could meet in a bar in the Hyatt.

3) We could do a Water Street bar, which would be a block or two from the Hyatt, and would likely be loud and crazy.

I like the Hilton idea. What do you all think?

NGU.

[sybylla]

22. Hilton works for me.

There's also a skywalk from the convention center into the Hilton in case it rains. :shrug:

What time are we thinking? Depending on the length of speeches and lines in the hospitality suites, 10pm may be too early. On the other hand, even the best speaker can be pretty boring by 9pm.

I'll try to remember to bring a DU bumper sticker to use as a table tent so we can find each other.

This is a horseshoe shaped bar with more tables behind the bar as well, so be sure to look around before you decide no one is there yet.


ON EDIT: Should we make a separate post listing the location and address, etc., so that it's easy to find?

[ClassWarrior]

23. We probably should make a separate post.

I'd say 10 or later, given that we have two fairly powerful speakers on Friday night. I'm not sure where the hospitality suites are being held, given the venue change. Probably back at the Hyatt - and if so, it'll be a matter of choosing either the meetup or the suites, or it'll mean a lot of walking.

I'll bring a DU bumper sticker as well, to use as a table tent, and to carry around like an "Ask me about the DU meetup" sign.

Do you want to make the separate post or should I?

NGU.