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Heads-up to all the curious Republicans and savvy reporters who regularly read this gem of a publication, today's top story is a bit of a twist from our usual fare. Today we are compelled to use our sliver of cyberspace to dish out a
little dissin' to some fellow Democrats.
And no, this isn't a maverick suck-up play--John McCain-style--to woo disaffected partisans in Salem. Quite the contrary actually. Rather than pining for some non-partisan utopia (have you been to Nebraska?) or senselessly piling on a
very capable Howard Dean, it's time for an overdue embrace of party loyalty and message discipline. It's the ONLY way to break the death grip that Republicans currently hold on setting the policy agenda in this country.
The good news is that this won't even be that hard. The majority of Americans already disagree strongly with the Republican agenda from Iraq to Social Security privatization to perennial cuts to Oregon schools.
So what will it take for Democrats to get their ‘A' game on? Some might argue a good ol' fashioned trip to the woodshed. Our better angels suggest that a little primer in Message 101 might just do the trick.
Have you ever noticed that the only time RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman agrees with Democrats is when he's reiterating one of our quotes to criticize another one of us? They love this stuff.
Don't Take The Bait
Rule #1: Every reporter's question, no matter how critical or incendiary, is an opportunity to talk positively about Democratic values and/or to contrast with the failed, destructive Republican agenda.
Now we unveil the secret decoder ring and show you how to win friends and influence people:
Reporter: Is Governor Dean hurting Democrats? Is his rhetoric too harsh?
Answer: Look, Governor Dean calls things as he sees them. However, he's a great leader for the party and I have every confidence he will lead Democrats back into the majority. We all misspeak occasionally, but the point that Governor
Dean was making was a serious one. Republican leadership and their extreme policies have been bad for working people in this country.
The fact is Republicans don't like is that there is a new sheriff in town that is holding them accountable. That's why they want to divert attention to Howard Dean. But let's look at the Bush record: record deficits, oil industry
lobbyists writing environmental policy, and a debacle in Iraq. Of course, they want to divert attention from anything they are doing.
See, isn't that easy?
Look folks, Republicans have the White House and both chambers of Congress. Now they are going after the judiciary. Republicans know no limit when it comes to seizing authority to advance their narrow ideological goals. If we are
serious about restoring democracy in this country, we can't be patsies.
Governor Dean excites people because he is candid and direct. He does not suffer from the oh-so-very-safe but usually muddled "Washington speak." He is not infected with Potomac Fever. He is unequivocally the right man at the right time
to lead this party. Let's have the political courage to give Howard Dean a break and let him do his job. More importantly, let's do ours – as citizens, activists, donors and legislators.
2.) FADE TO QUACK: BUSH'S POLL NUMBERS CONTINUE TO PLUMMET AS LAME DUCK STATUS SETS IN
That Republicans want to change the subject from their unpopular, radical agenda to Howard Dean should not be a surprise.
"...President Bush's job approval and the public's confidence in the direction he's taking the nation are at their lowest levels since The Associated Press-Ipsos poll began in December 2003." -- The Associated Press
Fifty-five percent (55%) of respondents - a record - disapprove of the way Bush is handling his job. Fifty-nine percent (59%) think that things in our country are generally off on the wrong track. And majorities disapprove of the way
Bush is handling the economy, domestic issues, the war on terrorism, the war in Iraq, and Social Security.
That whining you hear from Washington is coming straight from the White House and the Republicans in Congress.
Why? According to recent polls taken by Gallup, ABC News/Washington Post, CNN/USA Today and NBC News/Wall Street Journal, Bush has the lowest approval rating of his tenure in office -- less than 50 percent.
In fact, BlackAmericaWeb.com has a must-read summary of Bush's standing, in which they
reported that Bush has the lowest approval rating of ANY president this far into his term - 20 percent lower than Clinton's approval rating during impeachment.
Almost all Democrats oppose Bush and he continues to enjoy a loyal following amongst many Republicans.
But according to the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll, only 40 percent of independents approve of President Bush's job combating terrorism, and 58 percent said he "is not concentrating on the things that matter most to them."
Democrats have known that since Bush took office and started pushing his radical agenda, and it seems the rest of the country is finally waking up.
According to the same poll, "for the first time, a majority, 55 percent, also said Bush has done more to divide the country than to unite it." Bush, divisive? Who knew...?
Republicans in Congress didn't get off easy, either.
According to the latest
USA Today/CNN poll, Americans also said by 47 percent-36 percent that the country would be better off if Democrats controlled Congress.
It looks like focusing on power grabs and giveaways to Big Oil while gas prices skyrocket, trying to let Wall Street play havoc with Social Security under the guise of "reform," supporting crooks like Tom DeLay in pursuit of a radical,
right-wing agenda is finally catching up with the GOP.
Democrats have spoken out against these radical, divisive tactics since Bush took office, and now the American public is sending the GOP a message: Enough is enough.
3.) COMING OUT PARTY: DPO ANNOUNCES GLBT CAUCUS, PRIDE 2005 ACTIVITIES
The Democratic Party of Oregon is proud to announce the formation of a new Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Caucus. The party's State Central Committee, composed of elected officials and party members, recently approved the formation of
the GLBT Caucus at its quarterly meeting held in Pendleton, Oregon.
The GBLT Caucus will have its coming out party on the weekend of June 18th, by participating in Portland's Gay Pride festival, and conducting its first organizational meeting to elect officers.
The fight over equality for gays and lesbians has reached an historic moment in Oregon, with this week's debate over SB 1073which would allow civil unions for same-sex couplesleading to a likely Senate floor vote.
The Democratic Party of Oregon is committed to continuing support for the GLBT community's quest for equality under the law. Given the assault on civil liberties of the Bush Administration, as well as the public positions of Oregon
Republican Party Chairman and 2006 gubernatorial candidate Kevin Mannix, the civil rights of sexual minorities must be defended vigilantly and Democrats will continue to lead on advancing pro-equality legislation.
The DPO is committed to advancing a public agenda that includes non-discrimination in employment, housing, and other public accommodations. In addition, the DPO favors allowing committed couples to be afforded all the same rights,
responsibilities, and legal protections afforded to married couples, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The GBLT Caucus will:
• Participate in the policy decisions and the outreach programs of the DPO to maximize support of the Democratic Party and its endorsed candidates;
• Recruit and support GBLT candidates for elective office;
• Recruit and support GBLT candidates for DPO leadership positions at the state and local levels; and
• Recruit and support GBLT candidates for the delegation to the Democratic National Convention and Committees.
• Serve as a vehicle for GLBT community access to Democratic elected officials and candidates.
Membership is free and open to any Oregonian who wishes to participate in the GLBT Caucus and is registered to vote. For additional information contact DPO State Central Committee member Frank Dixon at (503) 242-3585 or
fdixon@hevanet.com .
4.) BOBBY'S COMING BACK: JACKSON COUNTY DEMS TO WELCOME ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. AT GALA EVENT
The Jackson County Democrats are proud to welcome Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one of the leading national voices on environmental issues, for a speech and fundraising event in Ashland on June 18th.
During the campaign, Kennedy was immensely helpful to Oregon Democrats, doing a number of events throughout Oregon to help the Democratic Coordinated Campaign.
Kennedy will join the Jackson County Democrats on June 18th at the ScienceWorks Museum in Ashland from 8 pm to 10 pm. He will deliver remarks to an expected crowd of hundreds, from Jackson, Josephine and Douglas counties. Kennedy will
also sign copies of his book, "Crimes Against Nature: How George W. Bush and His Corporate Pals Are Plundering The Country and Hijacking Our Democracy" for audience members.
Kennedy will be joined by a broad coalition of Southern Oregon environmental activists and elected officials, to discuss the failed policies of the Bush Administration and the importance of vigilance in the pursuit of environmental
protections for our nation's future and the future of America's public health.
"We're thrilled that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will join with Jackson County Democrats to discuss the importance of environmental protections and the preservation of public health in America," said Chuck Keil, Jackson County Democratic
Chairman. "Kennedy's vision and leadership promoting the public interest in this country provides inspiration to all of us frustrated by two terms of George W. Bush's disastrous and reckless leadership."
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has been a resolute defender of the environment throughout his career in public life. He has prosecuted companies and governments who have polluted the Hudson River and Long Island sound. Kennedy currently serves as
the chief prosecuting attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper and senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Tickets are available at the Jackson County Democratic Party Headquarters, located at 328 S. Central in Medford, and at select locations throughout the area. The ScienceWorks Museum is located at the corner of Walker & E. Main St.
Please contact the Jackson County Democrats for further information at (541) 858-1050 or
CLICK HERE.
***Disclaimer***
The Capitol Insider is a special publication of the Democratic Party of Oregon. Content and opinions expressed in these updates do not necessarily represent official or endorsed positions of the Democratic Party of Oregon. They
are, however, intended to provoke thought, facilitate greater grassroots understanding of legislative processes and yield better public policy in Salem and Washington, D.C
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@dpo.org.
Democratic Party of Oregon Officers
Jim Edmunson, Chair
Meredith Wood Smith, Vice Chair
Margaret Branson, Treasurer
Genie Uebelacker, Secretary
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