Carolyn Boller, Secretary of the Colorado Democratic Party.

I am thrilled that the plan is finally complete and approved. I want to thank Billy Compton for his hard work and patience in working with me to draw a plan approved by the DNC. Based on input from a number of Chairs, we did make some changes for the better and the DNC agreed. It’s a delight working with Billy. Margaret and the Outreach Committee worked their way thru many issues and now must prepare to reach out to their groups.

Now the fun begins….Thanks to all for their input.

By Carolyn Boller, Secretary of the Colorado Democratic Party

On October 23, Governor Ritter was the featured speaker at a fundraiser for the Colorado Democratic Party. I was lucky to stand in for Chair Waak as she traveled on behalf of the party. The hosts and staff did an outstanding job of organizing the event and the room was packed. I am so proud of the Governor—he answers to questions about education, business, budget and others were answered in great detail and was a indepth understanding of the problems facing our state and possible solutions.

(Cross-Posted to DemNotes at www.DemNotes.com)

Lots of stuff to write about today — but the first thing is a procedural key to electing Colorado’s delegation to serve at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Today, the State Party received word that the Colorado Democratic Delegate Selection Plan is in full compliance with the rules of the DNC and its Rules and Bylaws Committee. Political Director Bill Compton and Secretary Carolyn Boller did the yeoman’s work on this effort, and we now have an officially-sanctioned plan for electing our delegates.

In reality, there really wasn’t much doubt that the DNC would approve our plan — it was “conditionally approved” in August — but there is always a sigh of relief when the DNC finally gives its stamp of approval, and our staff can focus on other issues — such as electing Democrats across Colorado. Kudos to the DNC, because they acted very quickly. The revised Plan was submitted this morning, and Pat Waak received the approval letter this afternoon.

Look for the final version of the Delegate Selection Plan — which is the authority for the rules in the process of electing delegates from the caucus to the national convention — on the CDP website soon!

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In addition, the State Party released to county chairs the numbers of delegates from each county to the state and multi-county district conventions / assemblies a couple of weeks ago. Because of the anticipated increased interest in attendance due to the national convention in Denver, we decided to increase the delegate base — the total number of delegates that are split among the counties — to 5,000 instead of the 4,000 we’ve used in the past few assemblies / conventions. The delegation numbers are based on the vote for Bill Ritter in 2006 across the state. I’ve got a copy of the document on DemNotes here:
http://www.demnotes.com/wp-content/DelegateCalcs08dft3.pdf

A few notes: Denver still has the largest delegation, at 684 delegates; however, Jefferson County is not far behind, with 672 delegates. Rounding out the top five are Arapahoe, with 553 delegates; Boulder, with 474 delegates; and El Paso, with 390 delegates. Every delegation, regardless of the county size, is guaranteed 4 delegates. Several counties have the 4 delegate minimum this year (although fewer counties than normal): Baca, Cheyenne, Crowley, Custer, Dolores, Hinsdale, Jackson, Kiowa, Lincoln, Mineral, Phillips, San Juan, Sedgwick, and Washington.

If you download the file, you’ll also see delegation numbers for the Congressional Districts, other multi-county districts, and numbers for the members to the State Permanent Organization and Credentials Committees (the Platform Committee was selected out of the various House Districts at their reorganization meetings in February / March of this year).

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Finally, what is up with the Colorado Republican Party? While you can get a bevy of information about all sorts of things from the CDP website at www.coloradodems.org, our Republican counterpart has been “under construction” for the entire tenure of GOP Chair Dick Wadhams. I recall attempting to check out their website around the time of the Party elections, and it looks the same as it does now: just a message: “coming soon - the new Colorado Republican Party online”. Hmmm…. I guess they must be too busy with the ideological purity testing in their laboratory to work on outreach to Coloradans.

That’s fine with me.

(Cross-Posted to DemNotes at www.DemNotes.com)

I’ve been rather lax lately about posting to DemNotes — so I apologize beforehand for that. Sadly, that means I didn’t get around to writing about my visit to Boulder County for their Truman Dinner, or about the Volunteer Committee meeting, or about the DNCC “Community Conversation” I attended in Pueblo, or about the Al Gore event a couple of weeks ago. (Note that Pat Waak has written about a couple of those things, if you’re interested, on the State Party Blog at http://blog.coloradodems.org/.) Maybe if I’d not spent Monday and Tuesday bleary-eyed at my computer in frenzied (but unsuccessful) attempts to score World Series tickets, I might have found more time to write….

Anyway, yesterday morning, I woke up early (there was no sun at 4:15 a.m., so I can’t say “bright and early”) to head up to Fort Collins for the Democratic Breakfast Forum, where I was the guest speaker. Several dozen people were in attendance, and when I arrived, Senator Salazar’s new field representative was answering several questions from the attendees. The questions were all very thoughtful, and I was impressed by the respectful tone, even where some people may not have agreed with Senator Salazar’s stand on an issue or bill.

After that was over, it was my turn. I spoke at length about the challenges facing our Party as we prepare for the 2008 elections. I noted one of our biggest challenges was a positive one to have: a huge influx of new faces at the grassroots level. I talked about how we were likely to see maybe three or four times the normal number of caucus attendees on February 5, and how we needed to be prepared for those people, both on caucus night as well as beyond in terms of utilizing this new volunteer base. I also talked about the new volunteers that would come after August from the Convention effort, as well as the natural influx that comes from a heavily-contested Presidential race. I encouraged the breakfast attendees to welcome these new faces with open arms and to find critical volunteer jobs for each of these people.

I also talked about the more negative challenges that will face us — namely, the onslaught of personal attacks that are sure to come from the Republican misinformation ministry. I explained — as many of you have heard — that the Democrats will not back down from these attacks and instead will fight back with issue-oriented comparisons of the candidates, not personal attacks.

Well, its back to work now…. Have to get home before the next Rockies game tonight!

I frequently get asked about what Congress is doing. The answer is a lot. I will try to share updates with you from time to time. To follow are some talking points from the DNC.

“This Week: While Democrats continue to invest in America’s priorities and improve Americans’ quality of life, President Bush and some Congressional Republicans insist on standing in the way. We are working to fund such critical priorities as education, health care, and housing, but the President - who has spent six years ignoring working-class Americans while spending billions of dollars on a flawed Iraq policy - is blocking these efforts under the guise of “fiscal responsibility.”

APPROPRIATIONS

Republicans are content to continue rubberstamping President Bush’s misguided policies, sustain his ill-conceived vetoes and obstruct legislation at a record rate. But Democrats will continue to pursue proposals that invest responsibly in America.

Projects in the Labor/HHS bill will strengthen our education and health care systems, protect seniors and improve workers’ safety.

Over President Bush’s objection, we are working to increase by billions of dollars our investments in research for diseases like Alzheimer’s, diabetes and cancer; job training and technical-education programs to make America more competitive in the global economy; special-education and Head Start programs for low-income students; and aid for poor children and families.

We saw last week how recklessly President Bush wields his veto pen, and he is now threatening to stand in the way of these critical health and education programs. We call on him to join us in addressing America’s priorities through this legislation.

FISA

Democrats want to improve the flawed, temporary surveillance law the President signed in August.

We will ensure the intelligence community has all the tools it needs to protect Americans’ safety while also protecting the privacy of law-abiding Americans.

As that bill reported by the Senate Intelligence Committee moves through the legislative process, we will seek additional improvements to current law so that all Americans can have high confidence in the effectiveness and constitutionality of federal surveillance laws.

CHILDREN’S HEALTH CARE

CHIP is a critical program that the vast majority of the American people rightly support. As long as this President denies American children the health care they need when they get sick, Democrats will work in a bipartisan manner in the fight to do right by those who need our help the most.

We will not abandon any of the uninsured children we would have covered with the bipartisan legislation already passed by Congress.”

Last night we traveled in a convoy down to Pueblo, using the DNCC flex fuel vehicles, for the second DNCC community conversation. Leah Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC, and I had a pre-meeting with Senator Abel Tapia and Pueblo Democratic County Chair Terry Hart at the Pass Key. (In all my visits to Pueblo, this was my first Pass Key visit.)

Senator Tapia talked about the history of Pueblo and its working class roots. He spoke passionately of Pueblo’s transition to a Democratic stronghold and his own efforts to “build a bench” for Democrats. I met a number of people later that evening who represent his commitment.

Then it was off to the meeting site with sausage grinders in hand. I ran into Senator John Morse, one of our newest stars from El Paso County. He introduced me to Laura Rojas, a NBC reporter. Laura, it turns out, is an old friend of my youngest brother, Don Waak. They started out working together at a veteran center in Texas. I was so pleasantly surprised. Don is on total disability from the Viet Nam War and has spent his life since dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among all veterans.

Then next event was a pre-conversation “clutch.” Some 30-40 people gathered in the coffee shop to meet Leah Daughtry. It really was a “who’s who” of Democrats in Pueblo. John Cordova, the new Pueblo County Commissioner, was there, as well as a number of local electeds and candidates.

But the main event attracted over 100 people plus media. Dan Slater, first vice chair of the CDP, was in attendance, as was Alex Netherton, chair of Bent County Democrats and Gigi Darricades, chair of Alamosa County Democrats. Leah Daughtry and Governor Bill Ritter talked about the opportunities associated with the convention coming to Denver and to the West in general. They then fielded audience questions about volunteering, housing, and the logistics. I had a brief opportunity to respond to a question about the delegate selection process. (General instructions are available on the CDP website).

It was great to see a number of people from events that I attended over the past week. In addition to Alex Netherton, I saw four people who had been at the multi-county meeting earlier this week. Joan Breternitz and Jeanine Kenyon were there with Annajo Sanchez, the SE Field Director, from Huerfano County. Pete Lee, our new SD12 candidate, was down from El Paso County.

We are making plans for additional community conversations before the end of the calendar year. Check out the website for times and dates. Sky Gallegos, Deputy DNCC CEO for Intergovernmental Affairs, and I will be in Steamboat Springs and Fort Collins in the weeks ahead. We will make sure those dates and places are posted soon.

Pat Waak

Last night a crowd of Democrats from Baca, Prowers, Bent, Otero and Crowley Counties gathered at the Best Weston on Route 50 outside of Las Animas for training and general discussion. County Chairs: Kay Hefley (Baca); Randa Tice (Prowers); Tom Florez (Crowley); and the organizer, Alex Netherton (Bent) attended. County Commissioner Bill Long, County Clerk and Recorder Patti Nickell, and County Assessor Guy Wagner were also participants. I was able to provide two powerpoint presentations and handouts.

The first portion of the training was to discuss the “State of the State” politically. In 2004 Sen. Salazar carried 27 out of 64 counties. In 2005 we began to implement the 64-county strategy that was followed by the DNC’s State Partnership Program. Four rural Field Directors were placed in the four corners of the state.

In 2006, Governor Ritter won 38 out of 64 counties. Of those 11 counties that shifted, all were rural counties except one. The new data projections show that we can increase our margins in almost every county in 2008. But that will require work on the part of every active voter in the state.

We discussed the difference in the roles of the DNC, DNCC and the Denver Host Committee in preparation for the convention. Tomorrow evening the DNCC will hold the second of its community conversations. This one will be in Pueblo, and Gov. Ritter will attend. Over 12,000 volunteers have signed up to help with the convention, and the CDP will need volunteers as well during that busy week.

The next portion of the program was to explain the delegate selection process and to train participants in conducting precinct caucuses. Almost everyone present has been to a caucus in the past. Handouts explained the specifics processes, numbers of delegates, where they will be chosen and what needs to be done to get reporting in on time. The major handout is available on the CDP website.

We then reviewed a powerpoint presentation of the Neighbor to Neighbor project. This project is designed to increase our grassroots level outreach across the state. Each county will be receiving training in precinct organizing and use of the augmented voter file. The Field Directors have to recruit 150 precinct leaders by March 1, 2008. A.J. Sanchez, the field director for this region, explained that she will be working with counties to organize house parties to occur next month. More materials will be forthcoming as follow up.

It was a full meeting and there was a lot of question and answer sessions in each portion. This cluster of counties is planning another meeting next month to talk with Rep. Mark Udall about his Senate race and Betsy Markey, who is running for Congressional District 4.

Pat Waak

Sunday was a marathon day for more reasons than one. First, Carolyn Boller, Margaret Atencio, Mark Ferrandino and I met with a crew of volunteers to staff the water station for the Denver Marathon. Carolyn was our able captain, and she kept us moving during the next 7 hours in the rain and cold. We had a great time cheering on the runners and passing out water and Gatorade.

We all froze, but everyone had a good time. The runners were true heroes as they made this long trek. And the Colorado Democratic Party did its share to provide for the runners.

After the run, I had a chance to meet with John Kelly from the DNC’s Faith in Action project. He was in town to talk with folks in the community about a pilot house party for this fall. We then met with the CDP Faith and Politics committee. We committed to doing three pilot projects in November with different faith communities.

Teri Baird reported on the planned seminar with Iliff School of Theology. It will be held on January 12, 2008. One of the keynote speakers will be Leah Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC, who is also a Penecostal minister.

Today I am off to Bent County for a multi-county meeting. After a breakfast tomorrow morning I will come back to Denver. Then Wednesday I will travel back down to Pueblo for the DNCC Community Conversation. Hope to see some of your there.

Last night I met with about the Huerfano Democratic Committee in Walsenburg. Cindy Campbell, the chair, hosted us at Alys’ Fireside Cafe. We heard about the new library that is proposed to be built at the beginning of the meeting, and then Lee Hawke came over to talk about his re-election campaign next year for District Attorney.

In between, I had the opportunity to discuss the state of the party, the Denver Host Committee’s current actions, and the DNCC plans for community conversations. In addition, to continuing my travels, Ramona Martinez and I co-chair the Outreach Committee for the Host Committee. What that means is we carry information throughout the state and to other states about the Host Committee’s plans. Of course, next week the DNCC will be holding a community conversation with Leah Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC, and Governor Ritter in Pueblo. I urged folks to attend.

We also talked about the new role of the Field Directors and their mandate to recruit precinct leaders throughout the state. I urged the county committee to help Annajo Sanchez identify precinct leaders in the days ahead. Annajo talked about upcoming house parties, especially for rural areas where going door-to-door is more difficult.

Finally, we all discussed the delegate selection process and how to conduct a caucus. Instructions are now downloadable from the CDP website, but I had brought copies for the committee and we went through the instructions.

After a question and answer period and some announcements, a group of us went upstairs for one Alys’ Fireside Cafe’s great dinners. There we got into a lively discussion of issues, particularly Pinon Canyon.

I then spent the night with Jeanine Kenyon in La Veta. Jeanine is the 2nd Vice Chair of Huerfano County Dems, and she has just finished her lovely home. I was her first guest, and we had a great breakfast conversation before I headed for Colorado Springs.

My first stop was lunch with Pete Lee. Pete is running for Senate District 12, which will be an open seat in 2008. Pete has been a Colorado Springs lawyer for more than 30 years. He also has been on the boards of numerous non-profits, including the Pikes Peak Mental Health Board, Youth Transformation Center, and the Manitou Springs Restorative Justice Council. He was the volunteer coordinator for John Morse For Senate Campaign, as well as manager and treasurer for Ken Barela’s legislative campaign last year.

From lunch, Pete and I walked to the Penrose Library Carnegie Room and greeted a number of people who came for the announcement. John Morris, El Paso County Chair, introduced some key supporters who spoke, including District 2 Board of Education member Deborah Hendricks, local Republican attorney and former judge Lindsay Fischer, and State Representative Michael Merrifield (D) Manitou Springs. John also read a statement of support from City Councilwoman Jan Martin. It was my pleasure to introduce Pete Lee, who then announced his candidacy and talked about his vision for Colorado.

The bi-partisan support in the room bodes well for Pete’s candidacy, and we look forward to working with him in the year ahead. Today is his 60th birthday, and it was gratifying to see his commitment to public service.

As I headed out, a call from the CDP gave me the information that Rep. Debbie Stafford (R) Aurora has changed her party registration to Democrat. We welcome her to the Democratic Party and know that she will find a home among the Democratic caucus. It is, and will continue to be, our effort to ensure that our party best serves the people of Colorado.

Pat Waak

(Cross-Posted to DemNotes at www.DemNotes.com)

I had hoped to getting around to writing about last week’s Al Gore event, or about my visit to the Boulder Dems’ dinner last Friday, but a recent development has eclipsed all of that. In what may be the first of many, State Representative Debbie Stafford has announced that she has switched parties and has become a Democrat. The Legislature is now controlled by a rather unbelievable 40-25 margin — which is made more unbelievable when you consider that in 2004, Republicans controlled the Legislature by a 37-28 margin.

Here is some of Rep. Stafford’s statement:

I am happy to be here at this meeting of the House Democratic Caucus. I am here to announce that I will be joining the Democratic Party.
My decision to cross the aisle was not made lightly or quickly. This was a decision that was the product of a great deal of soul searching and contemplation. My decision comes from my gut sense of right and wrong, and my heart’s deepest values.

When I decided to run for the legislature in 1999, I ran because of my love for people and the issues that impacted the lives of our citizens such as affordable housing, health care, education, juvenile justice reform, protecting small businesses, and the economy. It was and is my desire to continue to make Colorado the finest place to raise a family, to work, and to preserve the beauty of this great state.

…

Like many others in Colorado, I feel this way:
I am not leaving the Republican Party as much as the Republican Party left me.

No one pushed me or pulled me: I decided it was time to place myself, and my self-respect, with the Democratic Party.

Rep. Stafford sounds a lot like the Lieutenant Governor of Kansas, about whom I wrote after hearing him a few weeks ago at the ASDC meeting in Kansas City. There are those who will argue that she is being opportunistic, but the reality is in her statement that the Republican Party of Colorado has left her. Nothing could be more true — Colorado’s Republican Party is stuck in a right-wing mentality that does not advance this state or the people of this state. It has left a lot of decent-minded folks like Rep. Stafford.

So, welcome, Representative Stafford, to the Democratic Party. We’re glad you joined us!