May 2006 DemoChat - 33rd District Democrats

The Demo-Chat 2006
Volume 2, Issue 5; 33rd Legislative District Democrats Newsletter; Omaha Sternberg, Editor
May 2006
33rd LD DEMOCRATS
Executive Board
For 2005-06
Chair:
Tara Jo Heinecke
206-870-8819
Vice-Chair:
Tim Clark
253-854-1895
Secretary:
Tina Shamseldin
206-409-3038
Treasurer:
Cass Prindle
206-403-6869
WSDCC Reps:
Wendy Morgan
206-246-2165
Lionel Forde
206-850-3187
Elizabeth Brant
206-870-1759
Senator Karen Keiser
360-786-7664/ FAX 360-786-1999
Jack Arends
206-592-1302
Rep. Shay Schual-Berke
360-786-7834/ FAX 360-786-7317
Iolanda DeRuiter
206-824-2492
Rep. Dave Upthegrove
360-786-7868/ FAX 360-786-7317
Bob Polwarth
206-824-0206
Legislative Hotline
1-800-562-6000
Kerry Wade
253-529-4297
Bob Loeliger
206-870-1939
KCDCC LAC Alt:
Lisa Plymate
206-824-4666
Parliamentarian:
Bob Stephens
206-824-2699
Registrar:
Jean Hueston
206-878-8706
Admin. Officer:
Diane Odegard
206-870-7090
Sgt.-at-Arms:
Jim Fossos
206-824-8537
KCYD Reps.
Audry Cohen
206-212-0769
Shaun Miller
253-872-9973
KCDCC Reps:
KCDCC Alts:
KCDCC LAC:
May General Meeting
Monday, May 15, 2006
Normandy Park Congregational Church
19247 First Avenue South
Normandy Park, Washington
AGENDA
(Endorsements may be made at this meeting.)
7 p.m.
Call to order, approval of agenda and minutes
7:15 p.m.
Program and guest speakers TBD
8:15 p.m.
Officers’ Reports
rd
These Democrats represent the 33 Legislative District in
Olympia. Representative Shay Schual-Berke, Senator Karen
Keiser, and Representative Dave Upthegrove are there to
serve you. Please contact them if you have an inquiry.
Prepare for Coming Campaign
By Partying at Kickoffs, Then
Welcome New Demo-Chat Editor
On the back page of this edition of The Demo-Chat you will find
information regarding the re-election campaign kickoff events for
State Sen. Karen Keiser, U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, State Rep. Dave
Upthegrove, and State Rep. Shay Schual-Berke.
One of the good things about our party is that our elected officials
know how to have fun, and invite us to join them in the fun, even as
they ask us for our help. This year will keep us busy as we support
the campaign to elect Darcy Burner to Congress from the Eighth
Congressional District and help re-elect U.S. Senator Maria
Cantwell. Initiative 937 can use our support, too.
I hope we will all do our share when it comes to doing the work
and having some fun. Omaha Sternberg has agreed to take over the
duties of editing and assembling the Demo-Chat. I hope all of you
will join me in thanking her for stepping up, and in supporting her
efforts. If we don’t see you at the county convention May 6 or the
state convention June 3, please remember: Remaining district
meetings for the year will take place June 19, July 17, Aug. 21,
Sept. 18, Oct. 16 and Nov. 20.
Jack Arends, KCDCC representative
33rd District Democrats
The Demo Chat 2006
Page 2
May 2006
General Membership Meeting
Minutes
April 17, 2006
Meeting Opening
Tara Jo Heinecke called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Tara Jo reviewed the agenda with the group and Ted
Schwarz made a motion to adopt it as written; motion was seconded and passed. Tara Jo apologized that the DemoChat was not sent out on time and noted that we will approve the March minutes at our May meeting.
Rep. Shay Schual-Berke
Shay announced that she has a new Legislative District office in Des
Moines at 22525 Marine View Drive (just north of Wally’s Chowder
House). The office will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday,
but Shay encouraged folks to call before coming just in case her
legislative staff is running errands.
Shay also recognized Darcy Burner, the Democratic candidate running for the 8th District Congressional seat,
stating that she is a strong Democrat with a solid campaign infrastructure. She encouraged members to
actively work on her campaign in this key race.
Darcy Burner, Candidate for the 8th District Congressional Seat
“I am Darcy Burner, and I am running for
Congress because my experience as a mother
and a businesswoman tells me that the
country is headed in the wrong direction —
and that together, we can change it”.
From Campaign Website:
www.darcyburner.com/
Darcy addressed the group stating that if we can take back 15 seats in the House that we can begin to take
back our country. The 8th Congressional District seat, now occupied by Dave Reichert, is one of those
critical seats that we need to win this fall. Her campaign is gaining momentum with her funding raising
goals this quarter surpassing Reichert’s donations. Darcy states that the grassroots efforts will be essential
to winning the election and that they plan to knock on 53,000 doors.
The Demo-Chat 2006 is published by the 33rd Legislative District Democrats and mailed in advance of the next monthly meeting. The official
address of the organization is: in care of Chair Tara Jo Heinecke, 2035 S. 223rd Street, Des Moines 98198.
The Demo Chat 2006
Page 3
May 2006
Darcy’s campaign may now be eligible for the Red to Blue Program
sponsored by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
(DCCC) that is providing financial support to many of these key races
across the country.
DCCC: Giving proven candidates the edge they need to turn America from Red to Blue
one seat at a time! (Darcy is the first candidate on their donation list on the web site)
www2.dccc.org/contribute/red2blue
Darcy spoke on many important topics, including foreign policy concerns:
• Iran: Darcy states that Iran is an actual security threat (as opposed to Iraq before we invaded).
She wants our administration to realize that military force is not the only option and that we must
pursue diplomatic solutions or sanctions first.
• Iraq: Darcy has immediate family members serving in Iraq and is deeply concerned about the
troops and our failed policy.
Event for 8th Congressional Meeting to Organize Party efforts: 7-8:30 p.m., Thursday, April 27, at the
Kent Regional Library.
Senator Karen Keiser
Senator Karen Keiser is holding her campaign kick-off at Angle Lake
Park from 4:30-7 p.m. Thursday, May 4.. Karen has an opponent this
year and needs our support!
Also visit her new campaign web site at: www.karenkeiser.com
(Omaha and her husband have been working hard to create this site).
Karen gave an update on this session’s accomplishments. Some of the highlights included:
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Medical malpractice reform was achieved with the help of Governor Gregiore.
The Gay Rights bill passed
The eastern Washington water agreement was achieved.
Incremental gains in health care, such as increasing the number of people covered on the Basic Health plan by
106,000 and funding medical coverage for an additional 10,000 children. Legislation was also passed that
provides a match for small businesses to help pay health-insurance costs (business pays 40 percent, the state 40
percent and the remaining 20 percent comes from employee premiums).
Family leave act was passed into state statute to protect against the “gutting” of the family leave act at the federal
level.
Collective bargaining for child-care providers.
Repeal of parking fees at state parks.
Des Moines Creek trail was declared a state historic landmark and received $250,000 in funding.
Endorsements and Campaign Contributions
A motion was made by Jack Arends to endorse Darcy Burner for the 8th Congressional seat; it was
seconded by Cass Prindle and passed unanimously. An additional motion was made to contribute $500
toward her campaign, which also passed unanimously.
The Demo-Chat 2006 is published by the 33rd Legislative District Democrats and mailed in advance of the next monthly meeting. The official
address of the organization is: in care of Chair Tara Jo Heinecke, 2035 S. 223rd Street, Des Moines 98198.
The Demo Chat 2006
Page 4
May 2006
We also gave early endorsements to our outstanding legislators in the 33rd: Senator Karen Keiser,
Representative Shay Schual-Berke, and Representative Dave Upthegrove.
After lengthy discussion, the membership passed a motion (20 in favor; 6 opposed) for an early
endorsement of U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell. Many group members hope she will take the time to
connect back with the grassroots of the Democratic Party. Our chair will extend an invitation to her to speak
at a future LD meeting.
Jack presented an overview of Initiative 937, which calls for Washington’s largest electric utilities to
generate 15 percent of their energy from renewable, clean sources (wind and solar) by 2020. A motion was
made and passed to endorse I-937. For more information visit the web site, www.yeson937.org.
Newsletter Editor: Tara Jo announced that Omaha
Sternberg has graciously offered to serve as our newsletter
editor, (thanks Omaha!).
A special thank you to the members who brought snacks:
Paulette Holcombe and Cass Prindle.
Registrar Report: Jean Hueston reported that there were 38 voting members present.
Treasurer Report: Cass Prindle reported that as of March 31 we had $1,910.05 in our account.
God Willing? Political Fundamentalism in the White House, the "War on Terror,"
and the Echoing Press
The image and book review are from www.amazon.com. They are discounting the book
from $22.96 to $14.92
Preface by John Olds, PCO NPK 33-0849: An introductory note to the readers of our 33rd
Legislative District Demo-Chat Newsletter.
David Domke is an associate professor in the Department of Communication at the
University of Washington. His research and teaching focus on how political leaders strategically craft their
public communications, particularly religious and social rhetoric, and how news media cover these
messages. He is a former journalist, having worked for the Orange County Register and Atlanta Journal
Constitution. He is the author of God Willing? Political Fundamentalism in the White House, the "War on
Terror," and the Echoing Press (Pluto Press, 2004).
As PCO for NPK 33-0849 I was very fortunate to make and take the time on President's Day, 2006, to attend
the Washington State Democratic Party PCO workshop training program which Professor Domke gave to
200 or so PCOs from around the state. He presented his research results that are covered in the book together
with video clips that clearly documented major rhetorical techniques effectively used to influence the public
since the current Administration took office in 2000. He also provided workshop-type PCO audience
The Demo-Chat 2006 is published by the 33rd Legislative District Democrats and mailed in advance of the next monthly meeting. The official
address of the organization is: in care of Chair Tara Jo Heinecke, 2035 S. 223rd Street, Des Moines 98198.
The Demo Chat 2006
Page 5
May 2006
participation to allow us to practice and think through what the Democratic Party grassroots need to "Talk
American” and effectively come out of the next election on higher moral ground and with Congressional
control.
Book Review
A must-read for any who love democracy, August 25, 2004
Reviewer: Gregory A. Orwig (Spokane, WA USA) I have followed David Domke's research for more than five years and have appreciated his thorough
documentation and analysis of a phenomenon that is largely ignored by the mainstream media and unknown
to the American public. The phenomenon of political fundamentalism, so carefully covered in his new book,
"God Willing," is a must-read for anyone who cherishes American democracy.
Domke's book is the product of meticulous analysis of hundreds of Bush administration speeches, news
reports and public opinion polls between the September 11 terrorist attacks and the end of major combat in
Iraq. The research clearly shows that Bush strategically cloaked his religiously conservative worldview in
nationalistic language and ideas that were reflected consistently by the media and the general public. This
religious-cum-political worldview, in turn, framed public discourse in ways that seriously threaten freedoms
that are at the heart of a democracy. Complex issues were reduced to simplistic binaries ("You are either
with us or you are with the terrorists."). Criticism of the administration's policies was labeled un-American.
The War on Terror and invasion of Iraq were justified as America's calling such that dissent was seen as
defying God's will.
All Americans, regardless of their political leanings, must agree that such rhetoric, when echoed by the press,
limits the free and open discourse that is fundamental to democratic governance. Domke deserves great
credit for stepping forward to call on the news media and the public to demand more wide-ranging dialogue,
including dissent, on the important issues facing our country. In my book, he's a true patriot.
From Domke PCO Training Session
Talking American
Reclaiming Democracy and Taking Back Congress
Machinery
Message/Identity
Messaging
1.
Talking American: Making it matter and real
Claim the moral high ground.
Tap into national myths.
Confront your opponents, calmly.
Use personal stories.
2.
Governing vs. campaigning
Governing is about issue debate, policy specifics, practical tradeoffs, mustering votes.
Campaigning is about presenting a worldview.
Core principles
Personalized story
A fact or two
3.
Delivering the message: Creating a group echo
Be consistent: say the same thing, same thing, same thing
Be persistent: say the same thing, day after day after day
Be unified: say the same thing, all Democrats together now
Media Mastery
The Demo-Chat 2006 is published by the 33rd Legislative District Democrats and mailed in advance of the next monthly meeting. The official
address of the organization is: in care of Chair Tara Jo Heinecke, 2035 S. 223rd Street, Des Moines 98198.
The Demo-Chat 2006
33rd Legislative District Democrats
2035 S. 223rd Street
Des Moines, WA 98198
E-mail: [email protected]
Post calendar notices:
[email protected]
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
For more information, visit these web sites:
http://www.wa-democrats.org
http://www.kcdems.org
or call Tara Jo Heinecke, 206-870-8819
Upcoming Events …
Monday, May 15, 2006, 7 p.m.
33r d LD General Meeting
Normandy Park Congregational Church
19247 First Avenue South, Normandy Park
Information: Tara Jo Heinecke, 206-870-8819
Tuesday, May 9, 2006, 7 p.m.
33rd LD Executive Board Meeting
Carpenters Specialties Training Center
20424 72nd Avenue South, Kent
Information: Tara Jo Heinecke, 206-870-8819
Saturday, May 6, 2006, 2 p.m.
King County Democratic Convention
Aerospace Machinists Hall
9125 15th Avenue South, Seattle
Information: Susan Sheary, 425-228-4729
Thursday, May 4, 2006, 7 p.m.
Port of Seattle Commission Meeting
Council Chambers, City Hall
1055 S. Grady Way, Renton
Information: 206-728-3034 or http://www.portseattle.org
Adam Smith Re-Election Campaign Kickoff, Thursday, June 1, 2006, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma. RSVP: 253-572-6125 or [email protected]
Washington State Democratic Convention, Friday-Sunday, June 2 - 4, 2006
Red Lion Hotel and Convention Center, Yakima. Information: 206-583-0664 or [email protected]
Shay Schual-Berke Re-Election Campaign Kickoff, Wednesday, June 7, 2006, time 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Location to be determined; please save the date. Info.: 206-728-3034 or [email protected]
Dave Upthegrove Re-Election Campaign Kickoff, Sunday, June 11, 2006, 5 - 7 p.m.
Kent Senior Center, 600 E. Smith St. Info.: 206-824-7601 or [email protected]