When And Where To Be Heard

SD56 (0.00 / 0)

We are actually meeting at the Woodbury Davanni's, which is located at Valley Creek and Radio Drive. The information is on our website, www.sd56.org. We will be discussing the election. Our meetings are open to all.

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by: MinnesotaBulldog @ Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 19:46:57 PM UTC

Here's That List Of Ten Questions (0.00 / 0)

1. Why does it always appear that the DFL has been caught off guard without a message when the GOP attacks?
2. Why has the DFL moved away from using new media and social networks while the campaigns and public have adopted these technologies?
3. Why have several 2010 local candidates come forward talking about a lack of messaging?
4. Why didn't the DFL add local candidates to all of the Margaret for Governor mailers they sent pre-primary?
5. Why are phonecalls and doorknocks being duplicated by the Coordinated Campaign and caucuses to the point of harassing voters?
6. There was a mailer that arrived after the election. This has happened several times in recent elections with our sample ballot. Why does this keep happening, how much did the mistake cost and what is being done to prevent it in the future?
7. Multiple DFL endorsed candidates lost in the primary. What will be done to ensure our endorsed candidates are protected by the DFL in the future?
8. Why didn't the DFL do a state-wide listening sessions in 2009, like they did in 2007?
9. Will we do listening sessions in 2011?
10. What is being done to get resources into the DFL constituency caucuses for our important outreach efforts?

Original post by Big E, here

"Those that forget the lessons of history, tend to vote GOP"

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by: TwoPuttTommy @ Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 19:47:51 PM UTC

Taxpaying Liberal had a few more questions; here's his... (0.00 / 0)

,,, recent comment

What do we want? (0.00 / 0)
As I read the chairs take on the last election results it's easy to see why he is such a good lawyer. But the questions we may what to ask ourselves are:
1: Can or should the current DFL party leadership adapt and adjust in time for the next election? The chairs letter suggests that little if any change is needed. He seems to be saying that we are heading in the right direction and this is just one of those things that can't be helped and nobody could foresee the apathy the democrats had and the enthusiasm the tea party brought. Even if we had known that this was coming there was little we could do.

2: How relevant is the DFL in shaping elections. It's clear that Dayton did pretty much his own thing without the help of Plato and in fact in spite of the efforts of Plato. Dayton had to beat Plato in August before he won in November. As the chair and Javier Morillo-Alicea point out they have nothing to do with the House and Senate races. This in its self may seem a little odd. Candidate training is left to Wellstone action and maybe a few hours of House and Senate caucus training but the DFL is hands off.

3: Should the DFL have a hands off approach to the legislative races as is the apparent current policy now?

4: The DFL seems to see its main role as putting on caucus's, hosting the State convention and running the coordinated campaign. Did they do an adequate job at any of these duties?

5: The coordinated campaigns main focus from spring until fall was getting the "drop off democrats" to come out and vote.  Why did this effort fail so badly?

I want to state that it's unfair to place the blame or success for the last election at the chairs feet.  As he points out in his letter he had little to do with the last election and could do little to affect its outcome. And maybe that's why we need to look at the structure of the DFL and see if there is a better way or if we are content with the current status quo.
by: taxpayingliberal @ Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 13:06:40 PM CST

"Those that forget the lessons of history, tend to vote GOP"

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by: TwoPuttTommy @ Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 19:49:55 PM UTC

Was Chair Melendez there? (0.00 / 0)

I think this criticism is off base. I have to say, if there is one thing Melendez is good at it is going out to the meetings and being accessible to activists.  

Brian and I have had our disagreements over the years but I have always found him to be very accessible and responsive.  

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by: kendalkillian @ Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 20:20:35 PM UTC

Bully for you. (0.00 / 0)

Personally, I can't say the same.

"Those that forget the lessons of history, tend to vote GOP"

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by: TwoPuttTommy @ Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 20:35:23 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I have to agree with Kendal (0.00 / 0)

Whatever anyone might have to say about Brian, he does show up at a lot of unit meetings. I also find him approachable and responsive.

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by: ericf @ Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 20:42:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

And again - (0.00 / 0)

 - I beg to differ.

And from what I've heard, it's not just me.  

But, hey - now is the time, more than ever, for him to show up an listen to what the grassroots are saying, BEFORE the December 11th State Central Committee meeting.

Let's see if he does.

So far, since the election, has he shown up at any SD meetings?

"Those that forget the lessons of history, tend to vote GOP"

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by: TwoPuttTommy @ Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 21:07:35 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

SD 62 December 6 (0.00 / 0)

We're still working on a location. The time will be 7PM. We'd like to have more people come and get active, and I would bet that's true for other districts too. Getting people to go to meetings is like, well ... getting them to go to meetings.

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by: ericf @ Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 20:44:49 PM UTC

Look at counties too (0.00 / 0)

Just so as not to assume everyone knows this, SDs aren't such active units outside the metro area. County parties are the main parties like SD parties are in the metro. Sometimes the term "county unit" or "CU" is used instead, as one word for the local units where most activity happens.  

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by: ericf @ Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 21:41:39 PM UTC

Organizing Units (0.00 / 0)

All SD's and CU's which are the local units where most of the local activity occurs are all now known as Organizing Units following the changes to the DFL Constitution at the last state convention.

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by: jrsc @ Thu Nov 18, 2010 at 02:22:12 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

"SD" or "CU" -- call 'em what you want.... (0.00 / 0)

.... but if activists don't show up...

...and tell their elected local officials what they're thinking...

....  well ...

... Paul Wellstone would be ashamed.

"The future belongs  to those who are passionate and work hard."

And part of working hard is showing up.

"Those that forget the lessons of history, tend to vote GOP"

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by: TwoPuttTommy @ Thu Nov 18, 2010 at 02:59:48 AM UTC

[ Parent ]