[Tcdp_newsletter] Travis County Democratic Party Weekly E-Newsletter for Friday, June 20 - Friday, June 27, 2008

[Travis County Democratic Party Weekly Newsletter]

Travis County Democratic Party Weekly E-Newsletter

Friday, June 20 - Friday, June 27, 2008

 

************************************************************************ 

IN THIS ISSUE 

 

- A Message from Senator Kirk Watson

- Lake Travis Democrats' Pre-July 4 Picnic on June 27

- A Message from Annie's List Political Director Robert Jones

- Become a TCDP Sustaining Member

- TCDP Finance Council and Sustaining Members

- Did you know?

- Calendar of Upcoming Events

- In the News 
- Contact Info for TCDP Administrative Office
- Newsletter: How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe Your E-Mail 

- To Subscribers Who Use AOL

 

*********************************************************************** 
A MESSAGE FROM SENATOR KIRK WATSON

 

Fellow Texans,

It's an exciting year to be a Texas Democrat!

Voter turnout in Travis County nearly tripled in our historic 2008 primary
election, and over 10,000 activists attended our county convention. That's
wonderful. No matter which nominee you support for President, I hope you're
excited about this historic opportunity to turn Texas blue. 

We need to keep this momentum going into the general election. 

To prove how optimistic I am, I'm challenging my fellow Texans to step up to
the plate and donate to turn Travis County 100% blue. Instead of
contributing your money in a way where it could end up going to Ohio or
Florida, I encourage you to invest in your backyard and support the TCDP.
The Democratic Party's coordinated campaign is starting earlier than ever
before, and we need to help them hit the ground running by donating today.

Double
<http://cmpgnr.com/r.html?c=1244564&r=1243480&test=true&t=0&l=1&d=0&u=http%3
a%2f%2fwww%2eactblue%2ecom%2fpage%2fwatsonchallenge&g=0&f=-1>  your
donation!

Talk is cheap. If you donate to the Travis County Democratic Party, then my
campaign will match your donation dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000. No
donation is too small, so please make a difference today. The deadline is
June 19, and I encourage you to give early and often. With some hard work
and a little luck, we can make Travis County a darker shade of blue. By
increasing overall Democratic turnout, we can help Rick Noriega defeat John
Cornyn and also help take back the White House for the Democrats in 2008. In
addition, we'll be building the party infrastructure for statewide victory
in 2010 and 2012. 

Make
<http://cmpgnr.com/r.html?c=1244564&r=1243480&test=true&t=0&l=1&d=0&u=http%3
a%2f%2fwww%2eactblue%2ecom%2fpage%2fwatsonchallenge&g=0&f=-1>  a difference!

Thank you for your continued support. It's been an honor to serve you in the
Texas Senate, and I look forward to working with you in 2008 and beyond as
we fight for change and a better tomorrow.

Best regards,


Senator Kirk Watson

P.S. Raise money simply by texting us! Another great way to help raise an
additional $5 is to sign-up for our text-message alerts. Join by texting
'TCDP' to '41411' from your cell phone, and Sen. Watson will donate
additional funds to the TCDP. How easy is that?

 

*********************************************************************** 
LAKE TRAVIS DEMOCRATS' PRE-JULY 4 PICNIC ON JUNE 27

 

DATE: Friday, June 27, 2008
TIME: food begins at 5:30 p.m., speaker at 6:30 p.m.
PLACE: Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek Dr.

CONTACT: Jo Ann Richmond at jr9657 at yahoo.com 

Yes, there are Democrats in Lakeway, and all over western Travis County!!
You are invited to join the Lake Travis Democrats for a picnic and evening
of unity and conviviality, highlighted by the always provocative
observations of Jim Hightower.  His books will be available for purchase and
autograph.  The event, and the food are FREE, but donations to help defray
expenses will be welcomed.

Jim Hightower, America's #1 populist, speaking on his latest book, Swim
Against the Current:  Even a Dead Fish Can Go With the Flow.

***********************************************************************

A MESSAGE FROM ANNIE'S LIST POLITICAL DIRECTOR ROBERT JONES

 

Unbelievable Opportunity & Monumental Distraction

By Robert E. Jones, Political Director

 

The 2008 Democratic presidential primary has been a roller coaster ride for
all us. Who could have imagined that Texas, with what we thought was a late
primary date, would be a focus in the nomination process? Senators Clinton
and Obama spent tens-of-millions of dollars running television and radio
advertising, not to mention millions of dollars in direct mail pieces and
internet ads, to gin up the most excitement anyone in our lifetime has seen
in a primary election.

 

A record 2.9 million people voted in the Texas Democratic primary and
approximately 58% of them were women! In the large urban counties as many as
35% of the voters either had no previous history or had not voted in at
least the last six years. This surge in turnout has created incredible
opportunities (and a few headaches) for our candidates by showing that the
Democratic base in their districts has the potential to be much larger than
anyone imagined. 

 

For example, in Kristi Thibaut's district (HD-133 in Southwest Houston) only
about 2,000 people voted in the Democratic primary in 2004. Just one
presidential election later, over 13,000 Democrats voted, dwarfing the
approximately 6,000 Republicans who showed up. The story remains constant
across Annie's List's targeted seats:  Democrats "blew the doors off"
previous turnout patterns and came to the polls in much larger numbers than
voters on the other side of the aisle.

 

It was truly an amazing moment in Texas history to witness. BUT, don't pop
the cork on a bottle of bubbly just yet! With most great opportunities come
some very steep challenges and this one is no exception. 

 

First, there is no guarantee that these "surge" voters will return to cast
ballots in November. Texas will not be a focus in the general election and
the Democratic nominee will not spend time or money in our state because it
is almost guaranteed to go for McCain.

 

Second, I believe the increasing bitterness in the Democratic primary fight
is turning more and more of these new voters off every day. While we have
discovered a goldmine in these surge voters, without considerable resources
to compel them to return to the polls in November, we will lose them. And we
will have lost the opportunity to change the dynamics in many of these races
in our favor.

 

Due to the need to communicate with these new voters, ALL of our Annie's
List candidates' campaigns just got drastically more expensive. These new
voters must be included in lists for direct mail pieces, door to door
canvassing and phone banking. The math is simple: the more voters with whom
you must communicate, the more it costs to win. The more it costs to win,
the more these candidates have to fundraise in the next six months.

 

The presidential primary presented us with a new watermark for what
Democrats can achieve when energized, it is simultaneously draining the
oxygen out of our efforts to win critical important local and state races. 

 

Donors and activists across Texas dropped everything they were doing in
February and March to join the campaigns of their chosen presidential
candidate. They burned the midnight oil, wrote big checks, bundled
contributions from all their friends and phone-banked their hearts out. All
for a worthy cause, no doubt.

 

During that same period of time, our candidates mailed fundraising letters,
made fundraising calls and tried to set up donor meetings - all in vein. And
now that the frenzy has ended (in Texas at least), donor fatigue and
activists' exhaustion has settled across the state like a wet blanket. 

 

With the next Texas Ethics Commission reporting deadline fast approaching on
June 30th (the first one since December 31st) it is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL that
our candidates make strong showings of "cash-on-hand" in order to be
considered viable candidates. Failure to meet our fundraising goals will be
the first step towards losing the precious ground for which we have fought
so hard.

 

I know how easy it is to get pulled into endless hours of CNN and MSNBC
pontification about Clinton and Obama. I know how disappointed and anxious I
feel about our two top candidates beating up on each other, knowing that it
is affecting our prospects for winning back the White House in November. But
I also know that NONE of that is any longer in my control! And I know that
another epic battle is occurring right here in our backyards - a battle to
win back our state before redistricting and to stop the extremists' assault
on our progressive values.

 

THIS battle is very much in our control. And, in fact, if we do not step up
and fight that battle with everything we have in our hearts and our
pocketbooks, no one else will. So, please hear this call to action! Let's
re-focus our attention on Annie's List's strategic plan to win back our
state and elect these incredible women we have recruited in 2008. 

 

Here, at Annie's List, we have all caught our second wind and are doing
everything we possibly can to help these women catch up on, and even exceed,
their June 30th fundraising goals. Since all of these races just got more
expensive, the importance of that cannot be overstated. 

 

Please join us.we can't do it without you!

 

*********************************************************************** 
BECOME A TCDP SUSTAINING MEMBER!

Since 2004, seven Republican-held offices within Travis County have switched
to Democrats, and now, there are only four Republicans left and one of those
was just appointed by Rick Perry last September!  As you can see, the TCDP
has stepped up to make Travis County even more Democratic!

 

Sustaining members are our lifeblood.  They are the reason that we are open
year-round (one of only five county parties in Texas that stay open
year-round), have two full-time staff members, and our work has been so
successful.  We do not receive any funds from the national or state parties!


 

Stand with us and other Travis County residents and support TCDP by becoming
a Member.  We have two levels of membership:

 

Sustaining:  minimum of $10.00 per month or $120.00 annually. 

Finance Council:  minimum of $84.00 per month or $1,000.00 annually.
Members at this level receive prominent listing in our publications and web
site as well as at Travis County Democratic Party functions along with free
admission to TCDP sponsored events. 

 

The Travis County Democratic Party is dependent on your generosity for
everything we do!


To join the Travis County Democratic Party go online to:
http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org <http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/>
and click on "Donate" in the red box at the bottom left of the page.  Or
contact us at info at traviscountydemocrats.org or 512-477-7500.       


Mailed donations for the Party should be made out to "Travis County
Democratic Party" and sent to: 

 

TCDP

P.O. Box 684263 
Austin, TX 78768-4263

 

*********************************************************************** 
TCDP FINANCE COUNCIL AND SUSTAINING MEMBERS

 

Member Updates for the week of June 12 - Jun 18, 2008

 

New Finance Council Members

Carlos Barrera

 

Finance Council Renewing Members

Honorable Margaret Gomez

Janis Pinnelli

Joe Pinnelli

 

Sustaining Member monthly increases!!

Kathi Miller, increased to $25 per month

Mary Ann Neely, increased to $25 per month

Leslie Weston, increased to $40 per month

 

New Sustaining Members

Alice Adams

Ron Adams

Diana Bell

Karen Collier

Jon Harmon

Robert Leonard

Trey McAtee

Thomas Niland

Kristina Peterson

William Phillips

Ed Scruggs

Paul Silver

Patricia Stuart 

Melissa Tucker

 

Sustaining Member Renewals

Velva Price

 

THANK YOU!!!

 

For a full list of member names, please visit the home page of our website
and choose from the blue menu on the left hand side of the page.

 

*********************************************************************** 
DID YOU KNOW?

 

The Travis County Democratic Party has two other email lists: Activism and
Events.  These lists are used occasionally for folks who want to know more
about action items and particular events respectively.

 

You may sign up for these lists at the following link:
http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/newsletter.php 

 

************************************************************************

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

 

The TCDP Calendar changes almost daily as we receive new information, so we
encourage you to check the calendar often.  Go to:
http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/calendar.php       

 

**************************

Saturday, June 21, 2008

 

YellerDawg/Saturday Sages Democrats Meeting 
DATE: Saturday, June 21, 2008

TIME: 11:00 AM
LOCATION: Tres Amigos Restaurant, 1801 S. Capitol of Texas Hwy

CONTACT: Bill McAfee at bmcafee at austin.rr.com

 

You are invited to join the YellerDawg/Saturday Sages Democrats for their
weekly meeting.

 

 

 

Bowl-O-bama 

DATE: Saturday, June 21, 2008
TIME: 2:00pm-6:00pm
LOCATION: Saengerrunde Bowling Alley, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd.
CONTACT: Nolli at BowlObamaAustinTX08 at gmail.com

Austinites Unite! Get out of the sun and bowl yourselves silly - all the
while raising funds for Obama '08. You don't have to be a great bowler to
have a great time at our event. They'll have voter registration information
and cards available, Obama literature, contribution forms for in-person
donations and laptops available for online direct contributions to be
submitted. There will also have some Obama tees for sale!

Don't miss out on this awesome community building and Obama fundraising
event!

If you arrive solo, they'll be prepared to pair you up with other players.
If you'd like to show up as a team (3-5), that'll work too! RSVP with the
event organizer by 6/14/08.

Cost: $7 for first hour of bowling ($5 goes toward campaign, $2 goes to
cover part of the shoe/alley rental cost.)

**************************

Monday, June 23, 2008   

 

Travis County Democratic Issues/Policy Meet-Up 

DATE: Monday, June 23, 2008
TIME: 6:00pm-8:00pm
LOCATION: Travis County Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign
Headquarters, 1107 N. IH-35
CONTACT: David Kobierowski at 413-0286 or Cleanair999 at yahoo.com

You are invited to join the Travis County Democratic Issues/Policy Meet-Up.
We'll network and present issues and policies important to Travis County and
to TX.

Cost: FREE

Bring food/drinks to share and bring your laptop (Laptop not mandatory).

**************************

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

 

Northeast Travis County Democrats Meeting 

DATE: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 
TIME: 6:30pm Meet and Greet, 7:00pm Meeting starts
PLACE: Travis County Community Center, 15822 Foothill Farms Loop,
Pflugerville
CONTACT: Dave Taylor at 251-4645 or mrdave9735 at aol.com 

You are invited to join Northeast Travis County Democrats for their monthly
meeting. The Community Center is located across FM 1825 from the Springhill
Restaurant and behind the Lamb's Auto. 

**************************
Wednesday, June 25, 2008

 

TCDP County Executive Committee Meeting 

DATE: Wednesday, June 25, 2008
TIME: 6:00pm
LOCATION: Commissioners Courtroom, Granger Building, 11th and Guadalupe
CONTACT: TCDP at 477-7500 or info at traviscountydemocrats.org

TCDP Chair Andy Brown invites all precinct chairs to attend the June meeting
of the 2008-2010 term of the CEC.

All CEC meetings are open to the public.

 

City Council Swearing In 

DATE: Wednesday, June 25, 2008
TIME: 6:00pm
LOCATION: City Council Chambers, 301 W. 2nd St.

You are invited to witness the swearing in of city council members Lee
Leffingwell, Laura Morrison, and Randi Shade.

 

Texas Environmental Democrats Meeting 

DATE: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 
TIME: 7:00pm-8:30pm
PLACE: Vinny's Restaurant, 1003 Barton Springs Rd.
CONTACT: Blair Dancy at 468-1961 or bdancy at austin.rr.com. 

You are invited to join Texas Environmental Democrats for their monthly
meeting. 

**************************

Thursday, June 26, 2008

 

Texas Young Professionals Happy Hour 

DATE: Thursday, June 26, 2008
TIME: 5:30pm-7:00pm
LOCATION: Nuevo Leon Restaurant, 1501 E. 6th St.
CONTACT: Kelly Hyten at 796-7760 or khyten at aol.com

You are invited to network with Sen. Kirk Watson and members of the Obama
Finance Council.  Free Admission 

 

Southwest Austin Democrats Meeting 

DATE: Thursday, June 26, 2008
TIME: 6:30pm Social, 6:45pm Program
PLACE: Will Hampton Public Library, 5125 Convict Hill Rd.
CONTACT: Albert Gonzales at 280-4900 or email4agg at yahoo.com 

You are invited to attend the Southwest Austin Democrats meeting. 

**************************

Friday, June 27, 2008

 

The Lake Travis Democrats' Pre-July 4 Picnic is today.  Please see more
information about this event earlier in this newsletter.

************************************************************************ 
IN THE NEWS 
For up to date political news and commentary, please go to our web site at
www.traviscountydemocrats.org <http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/>  and
click on "Current News" 

************************************************************************CONT
ACT INFORMATION FOR TCDP ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
Travis County Democratic Party Administrative Office

1311 East 6th Street, Austin, TX  78702

Web:  www.traviscountydemocrats.org <http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/>


E-mail:  info at traviscountydemocrats.org                 


Andy Brown - Chair 

chair at traviscountydemocrats.org                


Elizabeth Yevich - Executive Director 

elizabeth at traviscountydemocrats.org                 


Garry Brown - Assistant Director 

garry at traviscountydemocrats.org   

 

Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

Ph (512) 477-7500   Fax (512) 477-7769

 

MAILING ADDRESS: 
P.O. Box 684263 
Austin, TX 78768-4263 

 

*********************************************************************** 
NEWSLETTER: HOW TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE YOUR E-MAIL 
If you ever want to subscribe, unsubscribe or change your options, please
send an e-mail to: 

tcdp_newsletter-unsubscribe at lists.traviscountydemocrats.org              

 

You will receive an auto-generated e-mail confirming your request. 

 

*******************************************************
TO SUBSCRIBERS WHO USE AOL 

AOL has become increasingly difficult for independent Internet services and
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only does this make it hard for many inexperienced (and elderly) users to
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AOL tracks each "Report Spam" it receives from subscribers.  If they receive
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Each time an AOL user hits the "Report Spam" button on a post from a list
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You are free to re-subscribe your address to our lists; however, if you
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careful when deleting messages. 

 

****************************** 
This e-mail service is paid for by the Travis County Democratic Party, 
P.O. Box 684263, Austin, TX 78768-4263

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