 |
 |
|
|
|
|
November 2008
Categories
More KGW Blogs
|
Mac Prichard is a delegate from Oregon, attending the Democratic Convention. He'll be blogging daily from the convention in KGW's Talk of the Town blog: Arriving in Denver I just arrived in Denver after sharing a United flight here with three other Oregon politicos: Julia Pomeroy and James Koski of Earl Blumenauer's office, and State. Rep. Sara Gelser, the chair of Hillary Clinton's Oregon delegates.
I'm here for the Democratic Convention this week as an elected Obama delegate from Oregon's Third Congressional district and KGW has asked me to share with impressions.
Before I start reporting on what I see here, let me cover one basic subject. As I've talked to friends and neighbors about the convention this summer, the most commonly asked question people is a simple one, "How do you get to be a delegate?"
The Democratic Party of Oregon sends more than 70 delegates to the national convention. Twelve are the so-called superdelegates - the governor, members of congress, and party officials. The rest of us are elected by Oregon Democrats who took part in special party elections in June. Click this link to see a list of all Oregon delegates and their biographies.
There was terrific competition for the elected delegate slots. I ran in a field of 54 candidates for one of four Obama positions available in the third congressional district. The others elected on June 7 at the district convention besides me were Jefferson Smith, Enrique Arias, and Bob Boyer. My friend and neighbor Dade Cariaga wrote a good account of the election that day and all the politicking. Who got to vote for us? Any registered Democrat in the congressional district could participate. You simply had to register in advance. Because of the excitement generated by Barack Obama's campaign, we had an excellent turnout and almost 200 people voted.
To win in such a crowded field, you had to campaign hard. Most candidates prepared a statement (here's my statement), sent mailings, made phone calls, and worked the room on election day.
My goal in coming to Denver is connect with national campaign staff and delegates from other states to share a grass roots fundraising program I created in Oregon that organized 156 house parties this spring to raise $41,000 for Senator Obama's campaign. Click here to see a news release about our house party day in May. I'm hoping other states will want to use this approach. I'm also want to find new ideas and resources I can bring back to Oregon. - Mac Prichard 2 CommentsLeave a comment |
 |
|
|
|
Hi Mac,
I wish I could be there, I so miss the excitement of the DNC!
Is Michelle Obama's brother with you guys (a delegate), or was he an invited guest?
What happened before and after Senator Kennedy spoke? We only got sound bites on the news and lame reporting here in Chicago. He sounded GREAT,(as usual)and looked better than I expected. How did he move? I.E. Did he need help getting around?
How about Michelle Obama?! I like her, the message was well presented, well written, of course she LOOKED GREAT! I think her speach coach needs to refine her gesticulations just a tish. She seemed a little bit "choppy" to me.
Can't wait to see your blog for the rest of the days in Denver.
Later gator,
Annabelle
The Dems are all dreaming...look what happened to John Kerry in 04. Besides she obviously wrote the "canned" speech in advance and stuck to the script to a t. I used to sell insurance and had to memorize my lines too! She obviously is a hot headed woman otherwise she wouldnt have been asked to shut her big mouth during the primaries. Has anyone seen her talking at most of her speeches on "Youtube"?
She spews fire like a dragon.
P.S. Look up in the Washington Post(left wing) paper and see she really doesn't care about the poor people as her employer hospital there, shuns the uninsured and redirects them to other clinics...in turn making room for insured people at her hospital. Its right there plain as day...look it up! She is the director. She and her husband do not care about the middle class...as long as they have that big beautiful house not without (Tony Rezko) whom is a convicted felon!
Can anyone say "more taxes" if Obama gets in office?
Scott in Salem, Oregon USA