Presidential campaigns in Vermont

The recent fundraiser in Norwich, VT for Senator Barack Obama has me thinking a bit more about the presidential primary, the historical significance of this election cycle, and Vermonters' potential role it it all. First, I want to remind people that this election is different. "Frontrunners" this time are not like frontrunners previous years. There is not a sitting vice president running (thank god). There isn't an incumbent president running (ditto). It's an open field and we should approach it that way. I hope that the media will also start giving some air time to some of the "second tier" candidates who nonetheless are very qualified.

Second, Vermonters should take an active role this time around. If we can volunteer in NH and make a palpable impact, campaigns will start to understand the sway Vermont can have in the primary. While we do not have much influence with our own votes, we can be a power knocking on doors across the CT river. So, if you are committed to a certain candidate, try to get involved. Try to get others involved. Maybe we can have a proxy debate in Chitt. County?

Here's what I know about the Democratic campaigns' presence in Vermont:
Vermonters for Obama
Vermonters for Bill Richardson (headed by our Colchester Representative Jim Condon)

Let me know if you have any other groups going for the other candidates. Clinton? Kucinich? Anyone.

-Will

County Democrats Meeting - Monday, 8/13/07

The Chittenden County Democrats will meet on Monday, August 13, 2007, at 7:00 PM, in the IBEW Union Training Hall, 3 Gregory Drive, South Burlington.

The meeting will be devoted to how to organize a Democratic Party reorganization caucus in your town. The major political parties are required by Vermont statute to reorganize during every odd-numbered year. Town and city caucuses are scheduled in September, county caucuses in October and the state caucus in November.

The reorg caucus elects local Democratic Committee officers and delegates to the County Democratic Committee. The caucuses are open to all registered voters in the municipality who identify with the Democratic Party.

We will also discuss a possible FUN-draising event for November, based on a number of ideas provided by the VDP staff.

Please join us as we lay the groundwork for a Democratic victory in 2008.
Mike Yantachka, County Chair

Your Town's Democratic Committee

We continue to work on the reorganization of town Democratic committees throughout Chittenden County. This is a statutory obligation of Vermont's major political parties. We still need your help. Please keep track of this web site so you don't miss out on when and where your town's caucus is. We'll post that info as soon as we have it. It should be on or around September 18th, so get ready.

In the meantime, we will meet briefly on Monday, August 13th at the IBEW meeting hall on 3 Gregory Drive in South Burlington at 7pm. Please show up. We will discuss progress on reorg. and field questions about the process, along with any other topics that might come up.

Channel 17 Chittenden County Democrats Show - Aug 6, 2007

The Chittenden County Democrats host a live call-in show the first Monday of every month. The latest show, recorded on August 6th, featured County Chair Mike Yantachka as host and State Rep. Jason Lorber (D-Burlington) and County Vice-Chair Will Wiquist. The topics discussed included the legislature's work on Institutions and Corrections as well as the upcoming Democratic Party re-organization caucuses. The program is recorded live with an opportunity for viewers to call in. We had several calls that pertained to the featured topics as well as to the new method for property tax rebates. The show will be re-broadcast several times during the month as follows:
Wed, Aug 8, 2007 at 4:15:00 PM
Fri, Aug 10, 2007 at 9:50:00 PM
Sat, Aug 11, 2007 at 2:50:00 AM
Sat, Aug 11, 2007 at 8:50:00 AM
Sat, Aug 11, 2007 at 2:50:00 PM
Unfortunately, the show is available only in Burlington, South Burlington, Winooski and Essex Town/Junction. So, tune in if you can and check it out.