Friday, March 27, 2009

Pennington County Dems Look Forward (and Back)

(From left) Abrahamson, Finch, Ross (moderating), Petersen, and Davis.


A freewheeling discussion on Democratic electoral politics in West River followed the Pennington County Democratic Party meeting March 26.


After two organized efforts that led to significant building of the West River Dems in focus and numbers in 2006 and 2008, but few victories, have left PenDems puzzling over why many of our candidates have come up short in votes against demonstrably less-qualified and less-experienced opponents.


Denise Ross,
the well-known SDPR "political junkie" and host of the well-regarded Hog House Blog, (and proud new mom!) moderated the discussion. It was interesting to hear her non-partisan perspective and political analysis, and the insights the panelists had a lot to offer.

Eric Abrahamson gave us the lowdown on the results in District 32, Dennis Finch on District 33, Bonny Peterson on District 34. Also, PenDem activist Jay Davis, who though not a candidate in 2008, talked about District 35 and gave an overall analysis. There was talk from the panelists about the possible "Palin effect" of the week of the election working against us among low-information voters, the "split ticket" effect of Republican Herseth and Johnson voters who chose not to vote for more Dems down the ticket, and party-line voting that is so common among last-minute voters. Our legislative candidates did far better among early voters, which may have meant that those that are interested in politics and informed find our candidates more appealing to those who show up to vote party line on election day. Money raised and spent appeared to have made no difference in some races. The possible effects of redistricting during the 2010-2011 Legislature was also discussed.

In 2010 Pennington County Dems will be there speaking the truth, you can bank on that.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Martin Yeung named to National Dem Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2009

Rapid City businessman named to DNC presidential primary reform board

RAPID CITY – Business consultant Martin Yeung of Rapid City will represent upper Midwestern states on the 37-member commission that will recommend changes to the Democratic Party’s rules for the 2012 presidential nominating and delegate selection process.


Governor Tim Kaine, D-Va., who also serves as the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee, appointed Yeung to the Democratic Change Commission, which will be co-chaired by Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C.

“This commission will focus on reform that improves the presidential nominating process to put voters first and ensure that as many people as possible can participate,” Kaine said in a DNC media statement.

Kaine said he hopes the commission will be able to work with its counterpart in the Republican National Committee to make the delegate selection process and nominating process more accessible to voters.

Cheryl Chapman, the South Dakota Democratic Party interim chair, said Yeung has significant experience in working with grassroots voter programs as well as national politics, including an assignment to work in the White House during President Bill Clinton’s tenure and as a special assistant on a congressional staff. Yeung manages Yeung, Inc., of Rapid City which operates two restaurants. He was a delegate last year to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

“Martin Yeung is a tremendously talented young man who has a wealth of experience in grassroots organizing as well as in federal government issues and business,” Chapman said. “He’s ideally suited to express the wishes of voters to reform the presidential primary and delegate selection process and make it more fair and accessible to voters.”

Yeung said he didn’t expect to be named to the commission, which includes elected officials, academics, state party leaders, labor, business and other leaders.

“This is a challenge and a great honor to have been chosen to serve on such august commission,” Yeung said. “The presidential primary process has needed to evolve for a long time. South Dakota should have its voice heard and voters should feel like their vote is valued. I look at it as an opportunity to reform primary elections so that voters in both major political parties will benefit.”

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

[PenDems (139)] PenDems and C&C! (Thurs/Fri!)

UPDATE: Sign up for Champagne and Chocolates on Facebook!

 Pendemorandum 

Thu March 26 PenDem Meeting
(**Meeting location updated**)
6 pm. **Labor Temple, 922 E St Patrick St**
The Numbers Game: Looking Back
How many new Democratic voters registered in Pennington
County? Did they vote in November? How?
Join us for a panel discussion on the numbers, featuring
SDPR's "political junkie" and Hoghouse Blog writer
Denise Ross
as moderator, and panelists Eric Abrahamson,
Jay Davis, Jeff Nelsen and Theresa Spry.


Fri, March 27, : C&C
Victory in 2010
Prairie Edge, 5 to 7 pm
You are invited to an evening of dessert and politics with
Democratic Senate Caucus leader Scott Heidepriem.
Our annual Champagne and Chocolates event will feature
the path forward to 2010. The evening features dessert,
beverages and information on Organizing for America,
President Obama's national policy campaign, and on the
grassroots strategy for the South Dakota Democratic Party's
path to the governor's mansion.
Admission: Donation, $15, $10 Students/Seniors,
Or simply sign up for Ten for 2010!
See the flyer: http://qurl.com/cz2ph

PenDem Elections coming up in April
Pennington County Democrats will elect chair, vice chair,
secretary, treasurer, state committee man and woman at
the monthly meeting in April. If you are interested in running
for any of these executive board slots or want to serve as a
precinct man or woman, come to the March meeting or contact
any E-board member [link to our email]. The meeting is set for
Thursday April 23. Chair, Vice Chair, Committeemen,
Committeewomen, and Legislative District Chairs will be
eligible to vote in the special state election April 25 during
SDDP's McGovern Day meeting and event in Aberdeen.
Pennington County Democratic Party Chair (and
Acting State Chair) Cheryl Chapman
will be a candidate
for the top spot in the South Dakota Democratic Party.

Ten a Month for 2010 continues
You can still get on board, and we need you -- you can
join at any level, but just $10 (a few lattes worth)  a month
will help grow the Democratic Party in the Black Hills!
http://www.actblue.com/page/pendems2010

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.

To subscribe, send a message to pendems-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe, send a message to pendems-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/pendems
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

Saturday, March 21, 2009

[PenDems (137)] PenDems and C&C next week!

Pendemorandum

Thu March 26 PenDem Meeting
6 pm. Labor Temple, 922 E St Patrick St
The Numbers Game: Looking Back
How many new Democratic voters registered in Pennington County? Did they vote in November? How? Join us for a panel discussion on the numbers, featuring SDPR's "political junkie" and Hoghouse Blog writer Denise Ross as moderator, and panelists Eric Abrahamson, Jay Davis, Jeff Nelsen and Theresa Spry.

Fri, March 27, : C&C
Victory in 2010

Prairie Edge, 5 to 7 pm
You are invited to an evening of dessert and politics with Democratic Senate Caucus leader Scott Heidepriem. Our annual Champagne and Chocolates event will feature the path forward to 2010. The evening features dessert, beverages and information on Organizing for America, President Obama's national policy campaign, and on the grassroots strategy for the South Dakota Democratic Party's path to the governor's mansion.
Admission: Donation, $15, $10 Students/Seniors, Or simply sign up for Ten for 2010!
See the flyer: http://qurl.com/cz2ph

PenDem Elections coming up in April
Pennington County Democrats will elect chair, vice chair,
secretary, treasurer, state committee man and woman at the monthly meeting in April. If you are interested in running for any of these executive board slots or want to serve as a precinct man or woman, come to the March meeting or contact any E-board member [link to our email]. The meeting is set for Thursday April 23. Chair, Vice Chair, Committeemen, Committeewomen, and Legislative District Chairs will be eligible to vote in the special state election April 25 during SDDP's McGovern Day meeting and event in Aberdeen. Pennington County Democratic Party Chair (and Acting State Chair) Cheryl Chapman will be a candidate for the top spot in the South Dakota Democratic Party.

Ten a Month for 2010 continues
You can still get on board, and we need you -- you can join at any level, but just $10 (a few lattes worth) a month will help grow the Democratic Party in the Black Hills!
http://www.actblue.com/page/pendems2010



The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.

Champagne and Chocolates!

Click for a printable flyer

Thursday, March 19, 2009

State House Alert, March 19

click below to zoom in



Tuesday, March 17, 2009

State House Alert, March 17

click below to zoom in




Tuesday, March 10, 2009

State House Alert, March 10

click below to zoom in


Monday, March 09, 2009

Meade County Dems have the best (P)arty this Saturday!



COME JOIN THE MEADE COUNTY DEMOCRATS
AT THEIR MONTHLY MEETING
ON SAT MARCH 14, 2 PM – 4 PM


AT THE
AMERICAN LEGION HALL
101 PINE ST., PIEDMONT

AFTER, STICK AROUND FOR THE
LEGION STEAK FRY
BEST STEAK (OR CHICKEN) AROUND,
PLUS SALAD, DRINK, AND
HOMEMADE DESERTS FOR $9.00!


For more information, contact Mack McGillivray
mackmc2@rap.midco.net 341-0207 or 484-5097

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Statehouse Alert, March 3

(click below to zoom)




State House Alerts and other reality-based political work depends on you.
Please help the SDDP at ActBlue.