Michigan

Is this too little too late?

A few hours from now I will step on stage in Detroit, Michigan to announce my support for Senator Barack Obama. From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected President of the United States.

Over the next four years, we are going to face many difficult challenges -- including bringing our troops home from Iraq, fixing our economy, and solving the climate crisis. Barack Obama is clearly the candidate best able to solve these problems and bring change to America.

This moment and this election are too important to let pass without taking action.

The endorsement will be streamed live tonight at 8:30 p.m. EDT at a rally at Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit, Michigan. Just go to http://www.BarackObama.com and they'll have a link to the streaming page.

It is the place where John Edwards also announced his endorsement. Am wondering if, due to the demographics of the state the Obama camopaign is putting their eggs in the Michigan basket and leave Florida up for a tossing win.

I am not sure if that is a rogue or dangerous strategy, given Florida's history of stolen elections.

08/21/2008 - 08/23/2008: Great Lakes Green 2008: Residential Green Building Conference

Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan- Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
Cost: $65.00 and up

Great Lakes Green is a partnership between Green Built Michigan, Inc. and the Michigan Association of Home Builders (MAHB). Great Lakes Green is intended to be an educational show that will generate greater awareness (among the building industry and the general public) about residential green building programs and technologies. More info here.

06/24/2008 - 06/25/2008: Embracing a Green Future – a conference for manufacturers
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan- GVSU Eberhard Center
Cost: $445

Embracing a Green Future will teach manufacturers sustainable business practices to help them achieve triple bottom line results like these:
· A 50% reduction in energy costs - Rapid-Line, Inc.
· A 10% reduction in operating costs-H&L Advantage
· A 16-million-gallon reduction in water use, saving more than $30,000 each year-Metalworks
· A 35% reduction in metal scrap-Whirlpool, Corp.

More info here. Register for this event by Friday June 13, 2008. Please contact Natalia Powers at 616-771-0327 if you have additional questions.

CNN called the island for Hillary Clinton based on exit polls five hours before the closing of the primaries.

They used exit polls.

To call a win for Clinton.

So what does Terry "am a bigger douchebag than Harol Ickes" McAuliffe say on TV, on CNN, while talking to mini-douchebag Wolfe Blitzer about the Michigan decision and Ickes threat to take their grievances to the convention floor?

Terry "Lord Of Douchebaggeoisty" goes on record as saying that exit polls are flawed and should not been used in deciding Michigan. That what the Rules and Bylaws Committee did was akin to what happened in Florida in 2000 and that in the end, they stole the delegates from Hillary Clinton.

Roland Martin, who's full of awesomeness, just said that McAuliffe needs to make a decision because he had just used exit polls to say that Hillary Clinton can beat John McCain in November.

The Clintonites are just fucking crazy.

Saturday, 7-19-08
The Gladwin County Democratic Party is hosting their "4th Annual Pig Roast" Fundraiser at the Ross Lake Park, Beaverton, MI—on M-18 just north of the bridge in Beaverton, MI. Our major fundraiser of the year featuring: Pulled Pork (barbequed on-site) – Live Music – Plenty of Great Company – Lots of Recreational Opportunities for families of all ages! We want to get out the message that only Democratic elected officials can change the political landscape in any positive and meaningful way.

DONATION: $10.00 Adults / $25.00 Family (1 or 2 Adults and all Minor Children)

$50.00 Gold Ticket
Same as the Family ticket except it is intended for people who want to make a bigger difference. As the ticket explains: I want to make an extra contribution to the Party.
As a Democrat, I know that my extra contribution brings extra satisfaction, not extra privileges.
CONTACT: Bob Frei, 989/435-3598

Sunday, 4-13-08
The Huron County Democratic Party is hosting their annual "Spaghetti Feed" Fundraiser at the Pasta House, 337 Main Street, Kindle, MI. One of the Special Guests include: State Rep. Terry Brown, who will be addressing the group sometime between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Enjoy a great buffet with us at one of the few Democrat-owned and operated restaurants in the Upper Thumb! - take-outs available too! A portion of the proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity - Upper Thumb Chapter. Please make checks payable to : Huron County Democratic Party and mail to : HCDP, P.O. Box 41, Bad Axe MI 48413 to be received by April 10, 2008 - donations also accepted at the door.

TIME: 1:00p.m.- 5:00p.m.
DONATION: $10.00 per person
CONTACT: David McDonald, "Spaghetti Feed" Chair, at (989)-269-7674 or davidamcd_at_sbcglobal.net

Saturday, 4-5-08
The Chippewa County Democratic Party is hosting their "2008 Spaghetti Dinner" Fundraiser at the Christopher Columbus Hall, 201 Sheridan, Sault Ste. Marie, MI. The dinner program will feature candidate and elected officials introductions, a special presentation and an auction.
TIME: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Social Hour / 6:00 p.m., Dinner
DONATION: $16.00 In Advance / $20.00 At the Door / $12.00 Seniors / $8.00 Children under 12
Free Children under 6
CONTACT: Allison Youngs, 906/632-6771 or e-mail at info_at_chippewadems.com

The Southwestern Wayne Democratic Club is hosting a "Chili Cook-Off" Fundraiser at the Moose Lodge, 831 E. Huron River Drive, Belleville, MI. Hot Dogs, Chips & Pop will also be available!

TIME: March 25, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
DONATION: $10.00 per person / $5.00 Children 6-12 years / Free Children 5 and under
CONTACT: John Herman, 734/697-7775 or Carl Pedersen, 734/218-0605.

Tomorrow the primaries/caucuses begin with Iowa. For the Democrats, Iowa and New Hampshire maintain their place as the kick off states for the primaries. The Republicans have thumbed their noses at New Hampshire by intercalating Wyoming after Iowa and before New Hampshire. So be it. Some argue that this whole circus and the prominent places for Iowa and New Hampshire are a dumb way to conduct a primary. I have started to feel that the tradition of the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary as leading the way has some merit, though I might add in another state or two within that first week. The reason I like these early testing grounds is that they really are the ONLY time where face-to-face time between candidates and voters is more important than TV spots, and so money may matter just a bit less in the Iowa Caucus and New Hampshire primary than it would in major states like Florida or California. Hire a bus and shake hands and make your case in person seems to be the norm in these two states, and having the first votes come in such an environment may well be a good thing. Let TV advertising take full control after individual voters, poking and prodding the candidates in person have had a shot I say. So maybe I am getting old fashioned, but I think Iowa and New Hampshire are good first testing grounds.

So what does the next month mean for determining our next President. Well, we all know it is probably going to all be over Feb. 5th when a whole slew of states, the biggies included, vote. Anything after that is likely to make little difference...with the caveat that as of now neither the Dem nor the Rep field is clear enough that we are guaranteed clear front runners even after Feb. 5th. But what happens between now and Feb 5th is VERY likely to pare things down to clear frontrunners for each party.

All I can say is it is about time we start seeing this. This should have gotten going in all 50 states after the 2000 election.

From the Michigan Democratic Party:

LANSING - Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer today announced that state Democrats would participate in an unprecedented 50-state election protection program to prepare for the 2008 election. Through the Democratic National Committee’s 50 State Strategy, the DNC Voting Rights Institute and the National Lawyers Council, Democrats across America are conducting an in-depth nationwide survey to collect critical data on the often confusing and complex sets of administrative practices and decisions governing our nation’s elections. With the help of DNC-funded staffers hired through the DNC’s State Party Partnership program, Michigan Democrats will work with election officials throughout the state to help identify potential issues so they can be resolved well in advance of the 2008 election.

“As America prepares to mark the 42nd anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, I am honored to announce this unparalleled effort to bring the ideals of that landmark law closer to reality,” Brewer said. “When President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act in 1965, he called right to vote the ‘basic right without which all others are meaningless.’ But 42 years after the signing of this legislation, the right to vote is still under assault. Michigan Democrats will not rest until every single eligible voter can register to vote, cast their ballot without fear of intimidation or harassment, and have confidence that their vote will be counted fairly and accurately.”