Andy tells a great story about his mother in his 90s. They were expecting her to die in the fall, but she hung on through November, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. She hung on long enough to make a contribution in the New Year, but not long enough to see Nancy Pelosi pass the gavel.
10:18 AM Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis now speaking. She is talking about the administration’s effort to create jobs. Talking about working with unions, Latinos and women and the importance of their vote. Now talking about Wisconsin and other states. She is emphasizing SHARED sacrifice. Thanking public servants and stressing they they are asking to be treated with respect and dignity and the opportunity to be able to sit down and work togehter to solve problems. SHe gets a standing ovations when she mentions the imprtance of sitting down ant tlaking together. She mentions that she comes from a union household. People want an honest day’s wage for an honest day’s pay. She gets another standing ovation when she says women deserve equal pay for equal work. Then another when she mentions the DREAM act.
10:35 Report of Budget and Finance Committee. There is discussion of ensuring that minority vendors get their fair share of contracts for the 2012 Convention. He announces that there were a number of recommendations that were unanimously approved.
10:42 Governor Kaine is now talking about how difficult the mid-terms were. He mentions Nancy Pelosi’s contributions. Independent votes moved pretty significantly in two years. He stresses the importance of young and women voters. Stresses the need to get young people to turn out at higher rates. And he says we need to win the gender gap with higher margins. He stresses the importance of field activity and the state parties. He outlines the accomplishments of the lame duck session. He is particularly pleased with the repeal of DADT. He talked about the importance of activism in DADT and other issues. The governor talked about the defunding of women’s reproducitve care. Now he is talking about Wisconsin. He stresses the importance of partnership. Now he is touching on health care. He just alluded to the oddness of the term Obamacare. Why are Republican’s against “care?” Obama Cares. A standing ovation. He is talking about the reeletion campaign. It will be based in Chicago. In talking about the 2012 Convention. It will be the “People’s Convention.” This will not be financed by PACs and registered lobbyists. The Govenor mentions “Change” and that their will be some staff changes. There is a shout of Senator Kaine and lots of applause.
In talking about the 2012 Convention. It will be the “People’s Convention.” This will not be financed by PACs and registered lobbyists. The Governor mentions “Change” and that their will be some staff changes. There is a shout of Senator Kaine and lots of applause. Clyde Williams and Jenifer O’Mallly DIllon are leaving. Clyde is going back to NY CIty and Jen will be Deupty Campaign Manager of the rerelection campaign. Patrick Gaspard will be the new Executive Director.
11:04 Resolutions Committee. There was a general discussion of the 28 resolutions that they reviewed. Areas included.
Protecting and communicating.
Voter right acts.
Congressman GIfford and Tuscon.
Black History Month.
Strong partnership with State Parties.
Recognition of the heoric march of the people of Egypt.
Commemorative resolutions.
11:10 A number of union leaders talking about Wisconsin. Lots of enthusiasm!
11:22 A video on Black History month.
11:25 Things are finishing pretty much on schedule.
I’ll be out of touch for a little bit. Talk soon.
I stopped in at the rally in Richmond, Virginia later in the day. It was interesting to see the perspective of the labor leaders at the DNC and then hear from people on the ground.