Another Bake Sale Opportunity

In case any of you are interested in participating in a local bake sale for the Obama campaign, here is a local event…(sponsored by moveon.org)

Hundreds of "Hungry for Change" bake sales all around the country - All to raise money for MoveOn's massive campaign to reach millions of voters this fall and help elect Barack Obama.

If you haven't already, please sign up to bring something sweet to sell at the bake sale in Dallas.

Here are the details:

Host: David E—fellow MoveOn member
Where: Crossroads Market (in Dallas)
When: Saturday, Jun. 21, 2008, at 12:00 PM

And here's the link to RSVP and tell the host what you're bringing:
http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=47992&id=12909-3606807-Q_1h_7x&t=5

 

Thanks,

Jason Mattox, precinct chair

 

Painting Party

Help get geared up for the 4th of July parade this Sunday (June 22) at
3:00 pm at the home of Darwin and Phyllis Payne (9021 Gunnison). We'll
be painting signs for the parade. Bring your ideas and any special
painting supplies.

Organizing Meeting & More

Dear Local Democratic Activists:

I would like to introduce myself again… I am Jason Mattox, the Precinct Chair for Precinct 2207.  I am pleased to report that we are finally past the primary season and we have an incredible slate of competent, qualified, and enthusiastic Democratic candidates – ready to bring real change to our lives and our neighborhood.  Ok, so how can you get involved?  1) You can socialize with other like-minded individuals and spread the word that the Democratic candidates look attractive locally and nationally to your other independent friends; 2) you can volunteer for a campaign of a local or national candidate; 3) You can join us in some activities to push awareness of Democrats and our causes in the local area.  Some upcoming events:

1)       Join Democrats in 2207 for a social evening on June 28 from 5:00 to 7:00pm.  Unite For Change!  This event will be simultaneously hosted at homes around Dallas and the broader area.  Come to the home of Jason and Andrea Mattox at 7505 Hundley Blvd (zip 75231) to socialize with others.  We will be online during the party to spread the word.  BYOB… we will have some light snacks available… please RSVP at 214-503-6737.

2)       Join the Lake Highlands/White Rock Democrats at the White Rock Lake Stone Tables Area, 600 E. Lawther Drive (Buckner Blvd @ Lake Highlands Blvd) Saturday June 21, 2008 at 11am -  $5 fee that includes hotdogs, chips, and drinks (kids 12 and under are free).  Meet Candidates and State Democratic Executive Committee members – we will plan our participation in the Lake Highlands 4^th of July Parade with this organization

3)       Hungry for Change?? Join fellow Democrats for a bake sale in Garland.  Host: Thalia D—a MoveOn.org member Where: MILLER & FIRST STREET
When: Saturday, Jun. 21, 2008, at 9:00 AM

4)       Lake Highlands 4^th of July Parade – for details email Michael Li at michael.chihpoh.li@gmail.com... We will walk alongside two vehicles to demonstrate our pride as Democrats at this great local event saluting our country and then staff a booth to register voters and spread the word on our great candidates.  Planning meetings are occurring now for this event.

 

I hope to see you at these events and others as the summer progresses.  We will organize our activities for the summer and upcoming campaigns this fall starting at the gathering on June 28.  Hope to see you there.

Thanks,

 

Jason

Rain Minns Fundraiser This Saturday

Rain Minns, the Democratic candidate for SD 16, is having a fundraiser this Saturday, June 14, from 1-4 p.m. right here in Lake Highlands, at the home of Maria Viera-Williams (8606 San Souci) (just north of the intersection of Ferndale and Northwest Highway).

Come out and meet a great candidate and find out more about this exciting and tight race.

The suggested donation is $30 and includes BBQ and all the fixins.

Videos from and of Convention

The Texas Democratic Party has posted videos from the convention on YouTube, including a moving tribute to Lady Bird Johnson and a great 'where we are today as Texas Democrats' video.

Click here to have a gander.

Some More Photos

A few more photos from the convention:

Claude picked up a rather smart beret.  Anne Buckley and I tried to convince him it looked best backwards (as in the photo), but as a former IBM guy, Claude seemed reluctant to 'take a walk on the wild side.'

The fellow on the left (with long hair) is Matt Tranchin, who along with Brent Rosenthal, was the Obama campaign field coordinator for Dallas. Matt originally is from the Park Cities and began working for Senator Obama after watching his speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004.  Matt's awaiting word from the Obama campaign on word of his assignment for the fall.

Jason Mattox posing with his daughter and Barbara Churchman.  Not the best photo of our fearless leader, but, as you can tell, he had his hands full.

The scene outside the convention center during our fire alarm interlude.

For earlier photos, click here.

For full convention coverage, click here.

It's Over

The convention finally wrapped up about 12:15 pm after selection of
the at large national delegates.

There was a little bit of a kerfuffle toward the end about the at
large delegates, but it was resolved.

On to November and victory! Stay tuned for the kickoff of organizing
efforts for the fall campaign.

Forgot to Add . . .

Forgot to post the results of the SD 16 national delegate elections.
Last night, we elected Barbara Rosenburg and Jeff Strater as Clinton
national delegates and Erin Moore and Joe Rowe (the cofounder of the
Obama Dallas grassroots movement) as Obama national delegates.

Convention Blog: Day 2- Platform and Resolutions, Unity Party

We're finishing up with the party platform and resolutions.

Tonight, there's a unity party on Sixth Street for Dallas area delegates and alternates with Obama and Clinton supporters expected to be out in full force.

A first for everyone

During a roll call vote on whether or not to table the resolution to end the Texas Two Step, a fire alarm was triggered and the entire convention had to evacuate. Senator Royce West (from SD 23) is leading a task force to more fully analyze the caucus/primary process in Texas and was also the author of the motion to table - allowing his committee to further their work in a very inclusive process. The table motion carried by a wide margin (78.7% to 21.3%). The anger or frustration on the Texas Two Step seems to be motivated by those concerned that Clinton won the popular vote in Texas but failed to win a majority of the delegates.


Jason Mattox, precinct chair

Convention Blog: Day 2- Electing a Chair

Now we're electing a party chair. There are three candidates: Boyd
Richie, our current chair, Loy LaVerne Brooks, and David VanOs.
There also is a contested election for one of the Texas slots on the
Democratic National Committee.

After this, we're going to have to have a roll call vote.

Update:  Boyd Ritchie was re-elected chair with 63.6% of the vote.

Sen Gallegos SD 6

We just watched a video chronicling the fight over the Voter ID bill. Senator Gallegos stayed in the Senate chamber against his doctor's orders along with the entire Democratic delegation to block passage of the bill. His life was threatened with his illness and he stayed in the chamber with a guerney just 30 feet away from his seat. What a moving story! The bill would have required three forms of ID in order to vote. This is a shameful power play brought by national agenda Republicans anxious to disenfranchise voters in a state, as Senate Eliot Schapleigh stated, that has had ZERO cases pending or investigated on voter fraud relating to identification. There is no problem to fix here. The convention continues.


Jason Mattox, precinct chair

Convention Blog: Day 2-Tributes

Just got done with very moving video tributes to Lady Bird Johnson and Ann Richards.

Convention Blog: Day 2-Watching Clinton Speech

The general session is back in session. We're watching Hillary's
speech live through an internet stream. Or at least trying too-a lot
of problems with the feed.

Convention Blog 8: Petitions

Attending a convention means getting the chance to be presented with various petitions.

This year, some of the petitions include petitions to abolish the death penalty, to create a reserved seat on the State Democratic Executive Committee for a physically challenged or disabled person, and several on alternative energy and/or climate change.

There's also a petition on doing away with the primary/caucus system.

Convention Photos

Some photos from yesterday and Thursday.

Anne Buckley, Michael Li, and Barbara Churchman at the sold out opening reception on Thursday at the Hilton.  Barbara learned Friday that she had been elevated from a Clinton alternate to Clinton delegate.

The crowd begins to trickle into the Austin convention center Friday morning.

Shopping for souvenirs- a little something for everyone.

2207 delegate Claude Medlock and his wife Candy.  Claude is a retired IBM executive and has lived in the Lake Highlands area for about 25 years

Juan Ayala doing a little campaigning for the SD 16's slot on the State Democratic Executive Committee. 

An impromptu unity rally of Clinton and Obama supporters.  If I had been a little quicker on the draw, I would have recorded some video because the chants were great.

Hannah Payne volunteering at the convention.  What a great t-shirt!

Anne Buckley and our precinct chair, Jason Mattox, waiting the SD 16 caucus to get under way.

Jason and Claude talking politics.

Jason voting on one of the committee slots.

Delegates and more delegates

After hearing the riveting words of our Democratic state House members and candidates, the inspiring words of former Austin mayor Kirk Watson, the sincerity and appreciative words of Chelsea Clinton, and the driven speech of Virginia Governor Tim Caine, the delegates of the fighting Senatorial District 16, were all left to pick our Presidential Preference national delegates. 

What an amazing showing . . . The Obama side alone appears to have forty or so people running for two delegate spots in Denver. We will elect now one woman and one man to represent just the Obama side, plus an Obama alternate delegate who will be a woman.


Jason Mattox, precinct chair 2207

Convention Blog 7: Back to SD Caucus

We've returned to the Senate District 16 caucus and just finished
electing members of the SDEC.

Now it's time to elect the presidential electors.

Convention Blog 6: Senate District 16 Caucus Update

Well, we just broke up to get ready for the general session, where
Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia is supposed to speak. Chelsea Clinton
also is expected. We had been hoping for Barack and Hillary, but with
things in flux in their campaigns, it looks like they've decided not
to make a joint appearance just yet.

Since we didn't finish the Senate caucus business, we'll be coming
back tonight after the general session to elect state executive
committee members and national delegates.
Then there's what looks to be a great party sponsored by
Representative Rafael Anchia and other young Democratic legislators.

I'll try to post some photos tonight from today's happenings.

Convention Blog 5: Under Way

The SD 16 caucus is finally under way. A little late, but not as late
as some thought it might be.

We're starting with election of people to fill the various committee slots.

Clean Elections Caucus

Fellow delegate Barbara Churchman and I (among many many others) attended a lively caucus on reforming our campaign finance system. More later!



Jason Mattox, precinct chair 2207

Test and Hello

Hey Everyone. The State Convention is exciting! Just sat through the Young Dems caucus and heard a stirring speech by Rick Noriega our candidate for US Senate. Also saw Rain Minns, our candidate for Senate District 16. Dallas County has a lot to be proud of here... Houston (Harris) is especially jealous of how blue we are! More later. Hello to our delegation!



Jason

Convention Blog 4: Sign In and Issue Caucuses

Today starts with sign in at the convention center. We've been warned
to go early because of the huge number of delegates and alternates
attending this year (over 50% of whom are first time attendees).

After that, all day today there are various optional issue caucuses.
In keeping with the diversity of the party, there's something for
everyone: Democrats for Life, the energy policy caucus, the Latino
caucus, Stonewall Democrats, Blue Dog Democrats, Gunowning Democrats, the computer and technology caucus, the women's caucus, even the Motorcycle Democrats.

The real business of the convention begins at 3:00 pm when the SD 16
caucus gets started. This is where we elect delegates and select
people for the various committee slots as well as elect members of the
State Democratic Executive Committee.
.

I'm Going to Bed

Speak for yourself about celebrating all night. This grandma's going
to make like a tree and leave. It's time for bed! See you all
tomorrow.

Convention Blog 3: Obama Party

Just got to the Obama party at Club de Ville, just in time for Ron
Kirk's great speech on party unity and the potential to turn Texas
blue this fall.

Now it's time to listen to the rocking band. This party's going to go
on for some time.

Convention Blog 2: Opening Reception

Those of us in town just got out of the opening reception.

An incredibly energized crowd--both Obama and Clinton supporters. For
all the consternation of the primary campaign, those tensions seem to
be fading away with the realization that, for Democrats, this really
is OUR year, both nationally and in Texas. This year is the first
election of the 21st century, and, this year, we as the American
people will send a powerful message about the type of America we want
going forward.

Just thinking about what America will look like this time next year
fills me at least with a powerful sense of hope.

But enough for now, there are a couple of more parties to attend.,
while Barbara is off to attend Ester's Follies.

Convention Blog 1: Arrived

The first of us have arrived. A number of cars in town are rather
flamboyantly decorated for various Democratic candidates and causes
(some people have way too much time and creativity). A generally
fesitive air in Austin's laid back sort of way.

Tonight is the kickoff reception and then there are a series of
fundraisers and parties. Hoping to catch up with Anne Buckley and
Barbara Churchman shortly.

We're Off to Austin

The six delegates and alternates from Precinct 2207 head off to Austin tomorrow for the State Democratic Convention.  Our own Hannah Payne also will be traveling to Austin to be a volunteer.  Most of us are going down during the day; Jason is heading down in the evening.  With nearly 10,000 delegates and alternates expected, no one knows quite what to expect.  Business aside, however, a couple of the parties look great (it is Austin after all).  Stay tuned to the blog for updates.