I posted Conyers' letter endorsing Dean for DNC chair on Saturday.(Conyers lists election reform as the foremost issue facing the nation and the party in his letter of endorsement, posted below)
After I posted, I realized this was a great election reform action item, so I am going to post it specifically as an action item. There is a lot of great info on the first thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=300675#300778and thanks to all who helped by finding the contact info for delegates, typing the letter so we had the whole text, and helping mre realize this needed to be posted as an action item! DUers are great!
The whole is definitely greater than the sum of its parts.
The Democratic National Committee will meet in DC February 10-12 to elect a new committee chair. The candidates for include: Howard Dean, former governor of Vermont, Donnie Fowler, campaign strategist, Tim Roemer, former governor of Indiana, Martin Frost, former congressman from Texas, Simon Rosenberg, head of the "moderate" New Democratic
Network, and Wellington Webb, former mayor of Denver.
Howard Dean is aware of election fraud issues. He once did the 90 second switch the vote demo on television to demonstrate how easy it is to manipulate votes in electronic tabulators and voting machines, and has stated that election reform needs to be in the forefront for the Dems. Representative Conyers has endorsed Dean for DNC chair (see entire letter of endorsement at the end of this email).
Conyers says in his letter:
“The foremost issue for the party and the nation, in my view, is the issue of electoral justice and reform. In the past three election cycles, there have been far too many eligible voters disenfranchised by official misconduct, negligence, faulty machines and discriminatory practices. As a party, I strongly believe that we cannot continue to ask for volunteers and voters to make extraordinary efforts to get out the Democratic vote if we do not undertake an equally extraordinary effort to make those votes count. Regardless of the outcome, the Democratic Party should, in the most aggressive and proactive way possible, combat any disenfranchisement of any voter. I appreciate your extraordinary commitment to this principle.”
You can contact the delegates from your state and ask them to support Dean. Here is a state by state list of delegates from each state:
http://platform.smartcampaigns.com/DNCMemberStateHere is Conyers’ entire letter endorsing Dean:
http://www.johnconyers.com/January 11, 2005
Dear Governor Dean:
I write to offer you my enthusiastic endorsement for your candidacy for Chair of the Democratic National Committee. While I believe many qualified candidates have indicated an interest in this position, I have decided to endorse you because I am convinced you are the best choice for the Democratic Party.
The foremost issue for the party and the nation, in my view, is the issue of electoral justice and reform. In the past three election cycles, there have been far too many eligible voters disenfranchised by official misconduct, negligence, faulty machines and discriminatory practices. As a party, I strongly believe that we cannot continue to ask for volunteers and voters to make extraordinary efforts to get out the Democratic vote if we do not undertake an equally extraordinary effort to make those votes count. Regardless of the outcome, the Democratic Party should, in the most aggressive and proactive way possible, combat any disenfranchisement of any voter. I appreciate your extraordinary commitment to this principle.
Second, despite disappointing results in the 2004 elections, I believe there were promising developments for the party and opportunities that must be seized. Our party saw a new influx of funding, effort and enthusiasm from ordinary Americans. In many respects, your campaign was the template for the newfound Democratic resurgence and you were a pioneer in this regard. I look forward to your seizing these opportunities for the entire Democratic Party.
Third, retaking the Congress should become even more central to the mission of the DNC. As you know, a reelected President's party traditionally loses seats in Congress in the midterm elections. Today, despite his reelection, the President's popularity is below fifty percent, his economic stewardship is seen as lacking, and his international leadership, particularly in Iraq, has been nothing short of a disaster. In this political climate, I see no reason that Democrats cannot take back the House of Representatives in 2006. To do this, we must compete in every Congressional race in every area of the country. I appreciate your devotion to this goal.
Finally, and most importantly, it is time for our Party to realize that a strong commitment to core Democratic principles is not only good policy and good for Americans, but is also good politics. Our vision for America is one where we protect all Americans, and do not turn our backs on any American. The most critical part of protecting Americans is ensuring our safety from the threat of terrorism, but our commitment should not end there; it must include health care security, retirement security, and economic security. You have spoken eloquently about those values and would be an ideal messenger for our party in this regard.
The outgoing Chairman of the Party, Terry McAuliffe, is leaving the party in the best shape it has ever been financially and with its infrastructure, and the entire party should be grateful for his tireless service. It is time for the party to choose a new Chairman, and I believe you are the best candidate to pick up the torch and take the Party to a new level of success.
Sincerely,
John Conyers, Jr.
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