Want to support the troops? This is an easy way:

Local Democrats looking for some way to give back? Check out Give2thetroops dot org

The NCDP organized an event at the local chapter in Greenville, NC. Here's the coverage. If this doesn't inspire you to help, nothing will.

Participating in a service project in support of troops in Iraq is as good a cause as any, Meek said."It's the least we can do, given the sacrifices troops are making under very difficult circumstances," he said.

The Democrats visited six other eastern cities Friday and Saturday: Clinton, Lumberton, Sampson, Windsor, Conway and Ahoskie. They engaged in community service activities, door-to-door activism and voter registration, Meek said. Today, the group will stop in Winfall and Elizabeth City.

Though Pitt County is considered a Democratic stronghold, it helps to rally more support here for an increase in voter turnout, Meek said.

"It (the tour) will help to the extent we can come in and motivate people in the statewide election in 2008," he said. "We want voters to know we're not just here at election time."

The Democrats went to work making greeting cards, sorting books and inserting toiletries, recreational items, snacks and items specially requested by troops. Special inserts might include tactical sunglasses or multipurpose wristwatches that give temperature readings, Whitehead said.

Many of the troop letters come from Fort Bragg, she said. Overall, Give2TheTroops sends about 400 packages to soldiers each month. Packages can take anywhere from three days to several weeks to be delivered depending on the person's location in Iraq.

The most important part of the package is the thank you card, Whitehead said.

"It's what let's them know we appreciate their sacrifice and bravery," she said.

. . .

Daniel Spuller, treasurer of Young Democrats of North Carolina, picked out a photo of a green frog dressed in a pink dress for the front of the card.

His support comes because he cares and wants to show the party cares about the troops and military families, he said.

Being against the war doesn't conflict with him standing by the military, Spuller said.

"Whether you agree or disagree with the war, it's an issue that hits close to home for us," he said. "I just lost a friend who was killed in action."

Whitehead had no qualms welcoming a party in which opposition to the Iraq war is growing.

"No matter the party, I love it (group volunteering)," Whitehead said.

Local folks highlighted in national press

The Nation just wrote about WNC as an example of Howard Dean's 50-state strategy. They highlighted the successes of Watauga County (and Chair Diane Tilson) and Polk (and Chair Margaret Johnson) and Heath Shuler and our own Mark Hufford.

They even mentioned my own post about Margaret at BlueNC

Here's the link. Check it out!

Now, let's work to have the 10th be North Carolina's next success story!

This is sad, but occasionally I feel compelled to mention other points of view

While we've all been enjoying Republican Jeff Flake's (R-AZ) smack-down of our Pat's earmark hypocrisy (for which Mitchell county took an undeserved jab), there is some truth to McHenry's point. Yeah, it's sad.

It's true that Republicans have really made earmarking a fine art of ripping off the public. But McHenry's self-serving insincere point has merit. Of course there should be transparency. And while Representataive Flake managed to point out our Pat's hypocrisy, there were dozens of earmarks (the 11th sure got it's share, more on that later) that didn't draw any attention.

And, more sadly, when Flake questioned congressman Murtha's one million dollar mystery earmark, according to the Hill, which of course only covered McHenry's side of the earmark story only two democrats voted against it:

In fact, several Democrats who regularly voted last year for amendments to strip earmarks out of bills are now voting against similar challenges.

Prior to last year’s election, two Democrats, Cooper and Rep. Melissa Bean (Ill.), voted for all 19 of Flake’s anti-earmark amendments. This year, Cooper has supported all 15 of the amendments; while Bean has supported just one of the amendments, the effort to prevent money from being spent on the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree, a project in Rep. Patrick McHenry’s (R-N.C.) district.

Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah) last year supported 14 of 19 of Flake’s challenges. This year, Matheson has supported only the challenge to McHenry’s earmark.

Democratic Reps. Earl Blumenauer (Ore.), Barney Frank (Mass.) and Gene Taylor (Miss.) each supported five earmark challenges last year. This year, the same Democrats have supported only the effort against McHenry’s request.
Calls to Bean’s and Matheson’s offices were not returned.

Of course, they voted against earmarks when they were from the bloated Republican budget. Democrats traditionally do a much better budgeting job. Even though I can't say I agree with the lack of transparency, I'm not sure the Democratic earmarks are as ugly as the Republican ones. For example, the 11th district earmarks were for schools and hospitals, not roads to nowhere or in exchange for bribes.

Democrats rally against the war

County officer training offered June 2

As previously reported at district meetings, in emails, in conversations, and everywhere else, our Western County Party Leader training day is this coming Saturday, June 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Morganton.

You must pre-register by email to attend. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please remember that space is limited to 100 and there are 33 Western counties.

To register, send me an email including name, address, phone number, and email address (to mhufford at ncdp dot org ). I will send a reply confirming your registration and providing directions. County party officers may register their entire delegation if they wish. A separate, specific training for Party Treasurers is provided by the NC Board of Elections (click here) and scroll down for the training schedule).

This training will be well worth your time and the time of your party officers or leaders. It will include best practices from Western counties, presentations by several state party staff, and presentations by the top three state party officers.

Holding a training of this magnitude in the West is a precedent-setting event, so let's give those who are traveling West an overwhelming Western greeting.

Tony McEwen takes the chair

Former state YD president Tony McEwen defeated incumbent Chair Judy Gilbert for district chair today in Morganton.

In his speech McEwen received his most rousing applause with the words: "I have nothing bad to say about Judy Gilbert." (Okay, I realize it's pretty sappy but we Democrats struggle with a contested election and we like it to stay nice.) Tony pledged to work hard, promote unity, and he proposed an ambitious 8-point plan of action I refuse to post here because I know Republicans read this site.

He's asking for 10 hours of service for the district between now and January so expect a call and plan your excuses, I mean, clear your schedule!

Congratulations to Tony. And big hugs and thank yous to Judy Gilbert for her four years of exceptional service as chair as well as many, many years of service to the Democratic Party. She plans to devote her time to the Edwards presidential campaign and we expect we'll see hear heavily involved in other races since she has so many friends and allies in politics.

For those of you new to the site (from my massive pimping at the convention), WELCOME. And feel free to comment or use the email option (in lime green text) if you scroll down the lower left.

Tomorrow's decision: McEwen v. Gilbert

Tomorrow 10th district delegates will be choosing the party chair who will lead us through the 2008 election season.

Delegates will have to choose between incumbent chair Judy Gilbert, a retired school administrator, and Tony McEwen, outgoing state Young Democrats president who handles veterans affairs for Congressman Mel Watt.

Of course, for all I know, there may be other nominations from the floor.

Registration begins at 11, convention starts at noon at Moore Hall of the Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton. Only delegates selected through their county conventions can vote.

Other business includes election district officers and considering resolutions to send to the state convention next year.

Directions to Western Piedmont Community College:

Driving west on I-40 from Hickory, take Exit #103 and turn right onto Burkemont Ave. WPCC is on the right, 1 block up.

Driving east on I-40 from Asheville, take Exit #103 and turn left onto Burkemont Ave. Cross the bridge over I-40, WPCC is on the right, 1 block up.

Driving into Morganton on Hwy. 18 from Lenoir, turn left onto South Sterling Street. Turn right at Burger King onto W. Fleming Dr. At NC School for the Deaf, turn left onto Burkemont Ave. WPCC is on the left at the second traffic light.

Driving into Morganton on Hwy. 64 from Rutherfordton, cross over I-40. WPCC is on the right, 1 block beyond I-40.

A New Hybrid

These days the vehicles most in-demand seem to be the hybrids -- a combination of evolving designs with the best of new technology, fueled by a new mixture of energies.

What's hot on the highways also holds true for political parties.

With North Carolina's Democratic county party conventions now behind us, party builders are elated. Statewide, we have more than 50 new county chairs heading up our county parties. Most of these are folks who have been driven by their political passions to become increasingly involved. Many of them are technologically astute and are tuned in to new methods for communicating with our voters and turning them out on election day.

The county chairs who were re-elected carry a tremendous amount of institutional knowledge and experience. They, too, are deeply committed to improving our results at the ballot box and to building an infrastructure for the next 20 years.

Eighteen months from election day, county parties are energized. Although statewide results haven't been tabulated, turnout at county conventions probably surpassed any off-year total in history. A few examples I've heard about -- more than 150 turned out in Polk, more than 200 in Yancey, over 100 even in Wilkes, where we're outnumbered by R's 55-30.

With the national party's Vote Builder (an evolution of the VAN) ramping up to come on line, we'll have the tools we need to create an historic result in 2008. Now it's a matter of completing construction of our new vehicle (through strategic planning and trainings) and capitalizing on the new energy that is increasingly available.

What does all this point to if we create appropriate plans and keep our eye on the prize? Can you say Blue State in '08? North Carolina hasn't tallied any Democratic electoral votes since 1976. Let's never forget what's at stake.

Best debate coverage: Comedy

From Fliss, who watched while hosting the usual Thursday night crowd at Asheville's Drinking Liberally:

Now, these were not debates as I understand the term; they were more like a game show or a panel discussion or a really short interview with lots of people, but it was interesting all the same .
. . .
The thing is, at the last election the stupid Dems chickened out and refused to nominate anyone who they thought was in the least confrontational or controversial or anything, really, but bland and annoying and wishy washy. They said someone angry and tough, like Dean, or visionary and smart, like Kucinich, couldn't get elected and I went along with them because I thought they had a handle on this thing called realpolitik which I, a humble dreamer who is only even interested in politics in occasional spurts, do not. Well, fuck that.
. . .
I'm not going along anymore. I want someone angry. I want someone controversial and pissed off who's not afraid to alienate people and ignore his handlers and speak his mind. Not a slick politician like John "Did I Mention That Daddy was a Millworker" Edwards or a tough politician like Hilary "Pearl Collar = Bad, Bad Fashion Choice" Clinton or Barack "I really like him but I don't think he's ready for the presidency just yet" Obama or Whatsisname "Did he really just say that if he'd been in charge at the Bay of Pigs he'd have nuked Cuba? He didn't really just say that, did he? Holy Shit." Richardson or any of the other old party hacks like Dodd, or, for gods' sake, Biden. Joe? Earth to Joe Biden? The original election jokes about you weren't funny when I was in high school, Joe. That was a loooong time ago. This is not the Academy Awards. No one is going to give you a lifetime achievement award for running in every fucking primary since the Taft administration. Give it up. Go back to Delaware and drink yourself to death like a good hack, okay?

Best debate coverage: Drama

And the winner is:

The blogger known as "lcloud," who posted this analysis at her homeblog, Maia Pinion, but it originated as a comment on BlueNC.

She called the debate

psycho drama more than anything else. It certainly wasn't 'debate' by any stretch of the imagination. Each candidate had roles to play.

Here are the highlights:

Gravel spewed out our anger, bellowing fury over the last 6 years of inept government, and in particular the last 5 years of improper, mishandled war . . ."

Kucinich . . . represented conscience, believing that all would be well if we just followed the Constitution, played nice, and ate our veggies . . .

Richardson reminded me of our teenage selves - desperate to be heard, and to make a point, and to score points. (. . . I thought maybe it wasn't him, and that they had already gotten Horatio Sanz to play him.)

Edwards represented the part of the self/society that doesn't always stand out, doesn't always make noise, but usually knows what's right, and does what's right, not because it will be noticed, but because it's right.

Dodd represented the middle manager in all of us that believes we could do a better job than the boss, if we'd only get a chance.

Biden, ah Biden. He is the showman, the ultimate politician. Is that good or bad? Only your subconscious knows for sure.

Obama is the part of us who looks for a better way. We all do, because hell, we've all got a little Gravel in us.

Clinton represented the smart kid; the one who has always gotten straight A's, without studying. She's memorized most of the answers already, so she's pretty sure she can ace this test, too.

Convention information reduxLincoln County changes time

Lincoln county's convention time changed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., registration at noon. Still being held at the Democratic Headquarters.

Below is the information provided by the North Carolina Democratic Party on upcoming county conventions in the 10th Congressional district. Click on any name to email.

Avery County: TBA. Contact: Wayne Johnson, 828-733-3493

Burke County: April 21, 1 p.m. (eat at noon) at the Cooperative Extension Building off of Enola Road, (above the Sheriff's department) Morganton. Contact: Jess Crowder, 828-397-6388

Caldwell County: April 21, 11 a.m., City/County office Building, Lenoir. (BBQ lunch to follow.) Contact: Steve Potter, 828-758-9806

Catawba County: April 21, NEW TIME: 2 p.m., 1924 Courthouse, Newton. Contact: Dan Green, 828-324-4943

Cleveland County: April 21, 12 noon, at the Cleveland County Office Building Auditorium, 130 S. Post Rd., Shelby. Contact: Betsy Wells, 704-739-1545.

Gaston County: April 14, 10 a.m. at the Department of Social Services Building (across from the courthouse), Gastonia. Contact Mel Black,: 704-435-0753.

Iredell County: April 14, 1 p.m. at the Hall of Justice, 201 E. Water St., Statesville. Contact: Gene Mahaffey, 704-592-5521. Speaker: Dan Besse, candidate for Lt. Governor

Lincoln County: April 14, NEW TIME: 1 p.m., Lincoln County Democratic Headquarters in Lincolnton, Contact: Patsy Black, 704-483-3908.

Mitchell County: April 14, 9:30 a.m. Mitchell County Board of Education, School Road, Ledger, Contact: Doug Sudduth, 828-688-2399.

Rutherford County: April 21, 10 a.m. at Party Headquarters, 142 W. Main, Forest City. Contact: Keith Price, 828-248-1638.

County Conventions next month (updated twice)

Below is the information provided by the North Carolina Democratic Party on upcoming county conventions in the 10th Congressional district. Click on any name to email.

Note: the new time for Catawba County is 2 p.m. Cleveland County's is at noon.

Avery County: TBA

Burke County: April 21, 1 p.m. (eat at noon) at the Cooperative Extension Building off of Enola Road, (above the Sheriff's department) Morganton. Contact: Jess Crowder, 828-397-6388

Caldwell County: April 21, 11 a.m., City/County office Building, Lenoir. (BBQ lunch to follow.) Contact: Steve Potter, 828-758-9806

Catawba County: April 21, NEW TIME: 2 p.m., 1924 Courthouse, Newton. Contact: Dan Green, 828-324-4943

Cleveland County: April 21, 12 noon, at the Cleveland County Office Building Auditorium, 130 S. Post Rd., Shelby. Contact: Betsy Wells, 704-739-1545.

Gaston County: April 14, 10 a.m. at the Department of Social Services Building (across from the courthouse), Gastonia. Contact Mel Black,: 704-435-0753.

Iredell County: April 14, 1 p.m. at the Hall of Justice, 201 E. Water St., Statesville. Contact: Gene Mahaffey, 704-592-5521. Speaker: Dan Besse, candidate for Lt. Governor

Lincoln County: April 14, 10 a.m., Lincoln County Democratic Headquarters in Lincolnton, Contact: Patsy Black, 704-483-3908.

Mitchell County: April 14, 9:30 a.m. Mitchell County Board of Education, School Road, Ledger, Contact: Doug Sudduth, 828-688-2399.

Rutherford County: April 21, 10 a.m. at Party Headquarters, 142 W. Main, Forest City. Contact: Keith Price, 828-248-1638.

Let's turn it around

Whining and complaining is for losers.

We all get frustrated, but now it's time to turn our complaints into action.

The fact is: Democrats in Western North Carolina know exactly how to win elections, even in counties where we're outnumbered by Republicans. We have a proven road map, created by Watauga County Democrats, and an excellent teacher who just drove the route. Pam Williamson is presenting a FREE on-line training about the secrets of Watauga County's success. It's called How to Build a County Party That Wins Elections, and you can take it this Sunday, March 4 at 7:00 p.m.

he best part? If you want to participate in the training, you don't even have to leave your house. It's held by telephone while you watch a presentation on your computer. The training lasts about an hour and a half. For simple registration instructions, email pamwilliamson@boone.net

In my book, any county that does not have someone take part in this training is a county that isn't really interested in winning.

Actions speak louder

[This is cross posted at Scrutiny Hooligans and as part of BlueNC's Women on Wednesdays project to encourage women in the blogosphere and in politics.]

Outnumbered by Republicans, North Carolina's Watauga County Democratic Party swept the ticket in 2006. Watauga was the only 5th-district county where Roger Sharpe defeated incumbent Representative Virginia Foxx. The irony: Representative Foxx calls Watauga home.

County Chair Diane Tilson attributes her party's success to many things. But she is most proud, not of their victories at the polls, but of their efforts to improve their community. Click on the one-minute video below to hear her explain how she wants her party's actions to speak louder than words:



Democrats started winning in Watauga several years before Diane got involved. According to her, the party had been developing organizational methods that work. But, most of all, Diane says, "They had amassed a wonderful group of volunteers."

What does she personally bring to the table? "I'm organized. I'm a part of a lot of the committees. I'm a real hands-on person . . . I'm a worker bee and that translates well to leadership." Most of all, she emphasizes the importance of listening as well as keeping people in the loop. "I try to be a good communicator . . . people are more willing to be involved in an organization when they feel like they are a part of it."

Click on the two-minute video below to hear Diane talk about how Watauga's Democrats win:



Before 2000, when a friend asked for her help, Diane's political history consisted of a a consistent voting history, and a short stint with the Young Democrats of Rowan County in the 70s. But once she got asked to help a candidate, she said, "You know what happens if you become involved in an organization and you're willing to work."

All that work, as well as her commitment to detail, keep her away from her family and the small construction business she runs with her son and her husband, Joe. What keeps her at it, she says, is her desire to "help make changes that I think need to happen."

In the shorter clip below, she talks about her slightly unconventional political history:



"Politics should always be local. Things that really matter to me and things that really matter to Watauga County . . . need to be handled by people who care about the county."

Watauga County Democratic Party