Democrats from across North Carolina's 100 counties are gathering today at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh to elect new state party officers.
More than 500 of the 700 State Executive Committee members are expected to cast their votes in what's been viewed as a contentious event inside the party. Based on research, rumor analysis and good old-fashioned feedback, NCDPpolitics is predicting the following election results:
Chair Candidates: David Parker, Bill Faison, Dannie Montgomery
Winner: David Parker
First Vice Chair Candidates: Stella Adams, June Mabry, Gwen Wilkins
Winner: June Mabry
Second Vice Chair Candidates: Delmas Parker, Ralph Johnson, Douglas Wilson
Winner: Ralph Johnson
Third Vice Chair Candidates: Paul Brandon Johnson, Tony McEwen
Winner: Paul Brandon Johnson
Secretary: Kevin Smith, Melvin Williams
Winner: Kevin Smith
There you have our predictions (or possibly wish list). We'll know in just a few hours.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
The Right First Vice Chair: Don't waste your vote
Three women are vying for the First Vice Chair seat. There is a world of difference between these women and you need to know that before you vote. They are Stella Adams, June Mabry and Gwen Wilkins.
We're endorsing June Mabry for several reasons that make her head-and-shoulders above the other two.
Unlike Adams, who works in Washington DC five days a week, Mabry can serve the North Carolina Democratic Party 7-days a week.
Unlike Wilkins, Mabry has achieved results getting Democrats elected in the red District 8 where democratic voter registration is far lower than republicans. Wilkins has managed to not screw things up but she certainly hasn't had to fight any uphill battles in District 1 because democratic voter registration in that very blue district is near or over the 70 percentile.
In 2008, Mabry's District 8 team of county chairs and grassroots volunteers managed to unseat a six-term incumbent. Larry Kissell defeated Robin Hayes, a first in over a decade for that seat. And in 2010, when Republican candidates were defeating Democratic incumbents and first-time candidates left and right, Mabry's district worked harder than ever and Kissell retained that seat, despite Tea Party momentum and corporate cash cows.
But what was astounding is this week's announcement of the state's African-American Caucus-NCDP endorsed Mabry over the other two. Mabry, who is half Japanese, half caucasian was an interesting and refreshing pick over her two African-American opponents, Adams and Wilkins.
Mabry knows its going to take a hell of a lot more than tweeting from DC to keep the party activists and officers energized. Unfortunately, that is what we'll get from Adams again if she's re-elected. Tweeting from DC to a small, select group of democrats. Not once did she email the entire SEC members until recently when it was time to seek re-election! On January 23rd, Adams said in that email:
Wilkins' last minute announcement to run does little to convince us of her conviction and desire to work and to lead. While she's a very nice woman as most would agree, we need a First Vice Chair who will do the work asked of her by our new State Chairman.
We're endorsing June Mabry for several reasons that make her head-and-shoulders above the other two.
Unlike Adams, who works in Washington DC five days a week, Mabry can serve the North Carolina Democratic Party 7-days a week.
Unlike Wilkins, Mabry has achieved results getting Democrats elected in the red District 8 where democratic voter registration is far lower than republicans. Wilkins has managed to not screw things up but she certainly hasn't had to fight any uphill battles in District 1 because democratic voter registration in that very blue district is near or over the 70 percentile.
In 2008, Mabry's District 8 team of county chairs and grassroots volunteers managed to unseat a six-term incumbent. Larry Kissell defeated Robin Hayes, a first in over a decade for that seat. And in 2010, when Republican candidates were defeating Democratic incumbents and first-time candidates left and right, Mabry's district worked harder than ever and Kissell retained that seat, despite Tea Party momentum and corporate cash cows.
But what was astounding is this week's announcement of the state's African-American Caucus-NCDP endorsed Mabry over the other two. Mabry, who is half Japanese, half caucasian was an interesting and refreshing pick over her two African-American opponents, Adams and Wilkins.
Mabry knows its going to take a hell of a lot more than tweeting from DC to keep the party activists and officers energized. Unfortunately, that is what we'll get from Adams again if she's re-elected. Tweeting from DC to a small, select group of democrats. Not once did she email the entire SEC members until recently when it was time to seek re-election! On January 23rd, Adams said in that email:
"Finally, I understand that people are concerned that I work in DC. It is true, I do work in DC but I commute home most weekends and I am in NC more than I am in DC. Through 21st Century technology I stay in contact with more North Carolinians than if I attended 100 county party conventions. I love our state and I love our Party. It is your choice and I hope you will vote to re-elect me as your 1st vice chair. Sincerely,Adams wasn't even in the state during the mid-term November elections. Check out her Facebook comments where she admits to failing in her role as First Vice Chair. We start with the morning after the walloping and include Adams comments from the evening of the Nov. 2nd elections.
Stella Adams"
Wilkins' last minute announcement to run does little to convince us of her conviction and desire to work and to lead. While she's a very nice woman as most would agree, we need a First Vice Chair who will do the work asked of her by our new State Chairman.
Mabry has the ability to do everything from rolling up her sleeves and doing the grunt work to drawing upon her marketing background and her political strategy work to get the job done.
Don't waste your vote on a political popularity vote. Vote for someone who can get the job done and who's going to be available when you need her here in the state.
A vote for anyone other than Mabry is a vote to continue with the current administration's Missing-In-Action leadership plan that lacks focus, message and direction. Vote for a smart First Vice Chair.
Vote June Mabry for NCDP First Vice Chair because every county and every district matters.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
AAC endorses Parker, Mabry & others for NCDP officers elections
The African-American Caucus endorsed David Parker for Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party according to the Charlotte Observer this morning. The AAC is an officially recognized auxiliary club by the state democratic party and, in an ironic twist, endorsed June Mabry over AAC-founder Stella Adams for First Vice Chair.
The AAC-NCDP endorsement is a major coup for Parker and comes as a major blow to Parker's opponent, Rep. Bill Faison, in the final days before the state party's election on January 29th in Raleigh.
The campaign has been ugly due to Faisson's smear campaign against Parker through baseless innuendo, rumors and false accusations aimed at undermining Parker's broad support. A third candidate for Chair, Dannie Montgomery, has refrained from making any derogatory remarks against her opponents.
A comparison of the chair candidates' endorsement lists on their respective websites show Parker with an impressive lead among State Executive Committee members, those elected to vote in the state party officers' elections. Faison's endorsement list contains names of his fellow state house representatives and a few "activists" who can not vote in the officers' election because they are not SEC members.
A major issue in the campaign is Faison's inability to raise funds for the state party during the legislative sessions. State campaign finance laws prohibit sitting legislators from accepting contributions from special interests PACs, an issue Faison refuses to fully acknowledge will limit his ability to fundraise if elected chair.
To counter the limitation's impact, Faison held a party fundraiser prior to the start of the state legislative session earlier this month at the NCDP headquarters in Raleigh. To date, there's no word from Faison's campaign as to how much money this event actually raised although we expect to hear Faison claim a purposely unverifiable amount in his election speech to the SEC assembly this Saturday. The millionaire, who has self-financed his own campaigns in the past, is suspected of contributing a sizeable personal check to supplement the fundraiser's total to not only save face but to sway uninformed SEC voters.
This morning, Progressives Democrats member and blogger Martha Brock incorrectly reported that Faison has been a long-time party activist which contradicts Faison's own statements that he's never worked for the Democratic Party other than running for office. There is no mention in Faison's website biography page of ever serving the party in any volunteer capacity. In contrast, Parker has a long, rich 35-year history of working to get Democrats elected at all levels of government.
Progressive Democrats is a rogue organization posing as an official state party auxiliary club however, it is not recognized by the state party. This private group has been vocal in its support for Faison who, ironically, does not support the progressives' platform on issues such as gay marriage.
The AAC also endorsed Douglas Wilson for 2nd Vice Chair, Paul Johnson for 3rd Vice Chair and Melvin Williams for Secretary. Williams' endorsement is at odds with the AAC's mission to support and elect African Americans to political office as Williams is white and his opponent, Kevin Smith is African-American.
The AAC-NCDP endorsement is a major coup for Parker and comes as a major blow to Parker's opponent, Rep. Bill Faison, in the final days before the state party's election on January 29th in Raleigh.
The campaign has been ugly due to Faisson's smear campaign against Parker through baseless innuendo, rumors and false accusations aimed at undermining Parker's broad support. A third candidate for Chair, Dannie Montgomery, has refrained from making any derogatory remarks against her opponents.
A comparison of the chair candidates' endorsement lists on their respective websites show Parker with an impressive lead among State Executive Committee members, those elected to vote in the state party officers' elections. Faison's endorsement list contains names of his fellow state house representatives and a few "activists" who can not vote in the officers' election because they are not SEC members.
A major issue in the campaign is Faison's inability to raise funds for the state party during the legislative sessions. State campaign finance laws prohibit sitting legislators from accepting contributions from special interests PACs, an issue Faison refuses to fully acknowledge will limit his ability to fundraise if elected chair.
To counter the limitation's impact, Faison held a party fundraiser prior to the start of the state legislative session earlier this month at the NCDP headquarters in Raleigh. To date, there's no word from Faison's campaign as to how much money this event actually raised although we expect to hear Faison claim a purposely unverifiable amount in his election speech to the SEC assembly this Saturday. The millionaire, who has self-financed his own campaigns in the past, is suspected of contributing a sizeable personal check to supplement the fundraiser's total to not only save face but to sway uninformed SEC voters.
This morning, Progressives Democrats member and blogger Martha Brock incorrectly reported that Faison has been a long-time party activist which contradicts Faison's own statements that he's never worked for the Democratic Party other than running for office. There is no mention in Faison's website biography page of ever serving the party in any volunteer capacity. In contrast, Parker has a long, rich 35-year history of working to get Democrats elected at all levels of government.
Progressive Democrats is a rogue organization posing as an official state party auxiliary club however, it is not recognized by the state party. This private group has been vocal in its support for Faison who, ironically, does not support the progressives' platform on issues such as gay marriage.
The AAC also endorsed Douglas Wilson for 2nd Vice Chair, Paul Johnson for 3rd Vice Chair and Melvin Williams for Secretary. Williams' endorsement is at odds with the AAC's mission to support and elect African Americans to political office as Williams is white and his opponent, Kevin Smith is African-American.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Faison ignores cause of Dems 2010 election losses
Whoa, hold up! After weeks of attacking his opponent David Parker with rumors, innuendos and finger-pointing, NCDP chair candidate Bill Faison now wants to end the blame game because it wasn't really the Democrats' fault that the Republicans kicked their keister.
According to Faison's latest message, "the repubs" just "out-messaged" Democrats and pointing fingers now at those Democrats who dropped the ball just isn't necessary any more. Maybe Faison's change of heart comes from realizing everyone those responsible for the NCDP's past two years of errors are the very same people who are backing Faison today!
And as everyone knows by now, former state democratic party chair Jerry Meek had a personal agenda for backing David Young to succeed Meek. That agenda was about revenge and political pay back to prevent David Parker from becoming the successor all because Parker chose to endorse someone other than Meek for chair back in 2005.
Under Young's weak "leadership," the party suffered widespread election "losses at every level of state government" in 2009 and 2010 including losing control of the legislative agenda. Remember, If Meek can claim credit for all the 2008 wins, then he has to take the blame for all the 2010 losses.
Now Faison is Meek's 2011 stooge -- just like Young was in 2009 -- just to block David Parker's bid to become the NCDP's next state chair. And that begs the question, can we really afford another two years of Meek's anointed yet inexperienced party leaders? Not just no, but HELLLLLLLL no!
If Faison's video message is any indication of his communication strengths, then he doesn't brings much to the table as a potential state chair. Rambling toward some sort of a point, Faison inarticulately claims, "I have a background that allows me to enjoy the process of getting after Republicans.
Wha-huh??? Enjoy the process? This makes no sense.
How exactly does Faison plan to "get after Republicans?" By giving them full credit for our missteps? According to Faison's video, he says, "the repubs set the message, they set the tone, they captured the press and the media and they hammered it home to us." Notice how carefully Faison sidestepped any assessment of what Democrats did wrong. Hey, he needs every vote and that makes Faison blind to fixing what needs to be fixed inside the party.
Seriously, Democrats lost across North Carolina not because "we got out-messaged," but because we were too busy infighting to bother to develop any message voters could relate to. Instead, the state party coasted on the 2008 election after-glow and wasted time, energy and money fighting over who should run for what in our own primaries at the expense of grassroots support. Remember the US Senate democratic primary debacle where our state party leadership tried to force an inexperienced legislator (Cal Cunningham) on voters who clearly preferred the experienced, savvy and party favorite (Elaine Marshall)?
Wait a second! That sounds remarkably similar to our current situation over the candidates for NC's party chair! An inexperienced leader seeking to steal a seat better served by a more seasoned and experienced party leader.
Parker must have Faison worried because Faison is now borrowing from Parker's style of communication. Finally using video to "speak" to the State Executive Committee members for the first time, Faison proved he's not a good communicator at driving a point home.
"They're (Republicans) going to do things that disturb all of us," Faison said after listing the GOP's expected agenda of cutting back programs. But aren't we lucky Faison is "willing to take the time (read: from his busy schedule) and to do the work to help us win back control of our state." Not exactly a dedicated or decisive statement for one pursuing the state chair role.
No where does Faison ever talk about actually leading the party out of the ashes or bringing fresh ideas to undo the damage. Nope. Instead, Faison is going to run the state party like a business and, in his own words, "demand party staff achieve measurable and specific actions." Great. Just great.
That top-down style isn't leadership, it's management by decree and that doesn't work in a 99% volunteer organization. That's why we, like hundreds of other SEC members, proudly endorse David Parker for state chair. Vote David Parker on Saturday, January 29th in Raleigh.
According to Faison's latest message, "the repubs" just "out-messaged" Democrats and pointing fingers now at those Democrats who dropped the ball just isn't necessary any more. Maybe Faison's change of heart comes from realizing everyone those responsible for the NCDP's past two years of errors are the very same people who are backing Faison today!
And as everyone knows by now, former state democratic party chair Jerry Meek had a personal agenda for backing David Young to succeed Meek. That agenda was about revenge and political pay back to prevent David Parker from becoming the successor all because Parker chose to endorse someone other than Meek for chair back in 2005.
Under Young's weak "leadership," the party suffered widespread election "losses at every level of state government" in 2009 and 2010 including losing control of the legislative agenda. Remember, If Meek can claim credit for all the 2008 wins, then he has to take the blame for all the 2010 losses.
Now Faison is Meek's 2011 stooge -- just like Young was in 2009 -- just to block David Parker's bid to become the NCDP's next state chair. And that begs the question, can we really afford another two years of Meek's anointed yet inexperienced party leaders? Not just no, but HELLLLLLLL no!
If Faison's video message is any indication of his communication strengths, then he doesn't brings much to the table as a potential state chair. Rambling toward some sort of a point, Faison inarticulately claims, "I have a background that allows me to enjoy the process of getting after Republicans.
Wha-huh??? Enjoy the process? This makes no sense.
How exactly does Faison plan to "get after Republicans?" By giving them full credit for our missteps? According to Faison's video, he says, "the repubs set the message, they set the tone, they captured the press and the media and they hammered it home to us." Notice how carefully Faison sidestepped any assessment of what Democrats did wrong. Hey, he needs every vote and that makes Faison blind to fixing what needs to be fixed inside the party.
Seriously, Democrats lost across North Carolina not because "we got out-messaged," but because we were too busy infighting to bother to develop any message voters could relate to. Instead, the state party coasted on the 2008 election after-glow and wasted time, energy and money fighting over who should run for what in our own primaries at the expense of grassroots support. Remember the US Senate democratic primary debacle where our state party leadership tried to force an inexperienced legislator (Cal Cunningham) on voters who clearly preferred the experienced, savvy and party favorite (Elaine Marshall)?
Wait a second! That sounds remarkably similar to our current situation over the candidates for NC's party chair! An inexperienced leader seeking to steal a seat better served by a more seasoned and experienced party leader.
Parker must have Faison worried because Faison is now borrowing from Parker's style of communication. Finally using video to "speak" to the State Executive Committee members for the first time, Faison proved he's not a good communicator at driving a point home.
"They're (Republicans) going to do things that disturb all of us," Faison said after listing the GOP's expected agenda of cutting back programs. But aren't we lucky Faison is "willing to take the time (read: from his busy schedule) and to do the work to help us win back control of our state." Not exactly a dedicated or decisive statement for one pursuing the state chair role.
No where does Faison ever talk about actually leading the party out of the ashes or bringing fresh ideas to undo the damage. Nope. Instead, Faison is going to run the state party like a business and, in his own words, "demand party staff achieve measurable and specific actions." Great. Just great.
That top-down style isn't leadership, it's management by decree and that doesn't work in a 99% volunteer organization. That's why we, like hundreds of other SEC members, proudly endorse David Parker for state chair. Vote David Parker on Saturday, January 29th in Raleigh.
Kevin Smith's vision for Party Secretary: Make data available
Kevin Smith says he plans to expand the role of Secretary of the North Carolina Democratic Party beyond just distributing meeting minutes in a timely manner. Smith is one of two candidates running for the NCDP Secretary's office and says if he's elected he'll insure party members can access the party's voter activity database which has been "privy to only a select few"instead of "those on the ground who will utilize it to the fullest extent."
In addition to being the party's historian and bookkeeper of important documents on party activities, Smith says if he's elected, he "will concentrate on improving the current databases, which contain valuable information that can be better used if properly organized and maintained. Party members should have accurate and up-to-date databases when trying to connect with voters and volunteers. Too many elections have been hampered as a result of inaccurate information in an existing database."
"It is my hope that at the end, all information is on demand and as simple as a couple of keystrokes," according to Smith's email message to State Executive Committee members, the voting body of the NCDP.
Smith also addressed the concerns many have voiced about the lack of training opportunities on the VAN (Voter Activation Network) calling it "a cumbersome and discouraging process," as well as developing better network strategies for the Party to become more efficient at sending notifications.
NCDPpolitics proudly endorses Kevin Smith for NCDP Secretary. NCDP will hold its state party officers election on January 29, 2011 in Raleigh.
In addition to being the party's historian and bookkeeper of important documents on party activities, Smith says if he's elected, he "will concentrate on improving the current databases, which contain valuable information that can be better used if properly organized and maintained. Party members should have accurate and up-to-date databases when trying to connect with voters and volunteers. Too many elections have been hampered as a result of inaccurate information in an existing database."
"It is my hope that at the end, all information is on demand and as simple as a couple of keystrokes," according to Smith's email message to State Executive Committee members, the voting body of the NCDP.
Smith also addressed the concerns many have voiced about the lack of training opportunities on the VAN (Voter Activation Network) calling it "a cumbersome and discouraging process," as well as developing better network strategies for the Party to become more efficient at sending notifications.
NCDPpolitics proudly endorses Kevin Smith for NCDP Secretary. NCDP will hold its state party officers election on January 29, 2011 in Raleigh.
Montgomery aims digs at 1st Vice Chair Adams
Dannie Montgomery may be running for state chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party but her latest email message points out her First Vice Chair successor Stella Adams dropped the ball in getting democrats elected.
On January 24th, Montgomery asked the state party's State Executive Committee members to "stand boldly" with her to cast a vote not just for Montgomery but as a referendum on the party's philosophy and policies.
"Over the last few years, we were driven into a ditch and now we will decide whether to dig deeper or drive out. I am asking you to trust me with the keys," Montgomery stated. "I am asking you to return the keys to the grassroots. You and I, we are grassroots! We know how to win elections, build consensus, raise money, and work together."
Montgomery's comments are clearly directed at the current party officers who did not "deliver" victory nor do their jobs properly. "We will not let go of the work began in 2006 and continued in 2008 and we will reclaim NC. While serving as your First Vice Chair, I was never missing-in-action and never relented in Party or GOTV efforts."
Montgomery is running against David Parker and Bill Faison for state chair. She has yet to release a list of names endorsing her candidacy. NCDPpolitics appreciates Montgomery's passion to return NC to a "blue state" but stands by its endorsement of David Parker for state chair and urges Montgomery to throw her support behind Parker..
On January 24th, Montgomery asked the state party's State Executive Committee members to "stand boldly" with her to cast a vote not just for Montgomery but as a referendum on the party's philosophy and policies.
"Over the last few years, we were driven into a ditch and now we will decide whether to dig deeper or drive out. I am asking you to trust me with the keys," Montgomery stated. "I am asking you to return the keys to the grassroots. You and I, we are grassroots! We know how to win elections, build consensus, raise money, and work together."
Montgomery's comments are clearly directed at the current party officers who did not "deliver" victory nor do their jobs properly. "We will not let go of the work began in 2006 and continued in 2008 and we will reclaim NC. While serving as your First Vice Chair, I was never missing-in-action and never relented in Party or GOTV efforts."
Montgomery is running against David Parker and Bill Faison for state chair. She has yet to release a list of names endorsing her candidacy. NCDPpolitics appreciates Montgomery's passion to return NC to a "blue state" but stands by its endorsement of David Parker for state chair and urges Montgomery to throw her support behind Parker..
Melvin Williams endorsements lack credibility & names
Melvin Williams is either clueless or he is underestimating the intelligence of the North Carolina Democratic Party's voting body in the upcoming party officers elections this weekend.
Williams sent out yet another of his supposed "endorsements" emails to the State Executive Committee members of the NCDP. In his latest email, once again, Williams included a long list of unattributed, positive comments that support Williams for party secretary. Each comment is in the form of a quote but not one quote includes the name of the supposed author! Treating the SEC members like mindless sheep is definitely not a good trait for a potential party officer.
Sadly, Williams just doesn't get it. The point of sending out endorsement publicity is to name names. And Williams hasn't mentioned any names. Instead, he lists the county and generic title of these nameless SEC members as if you'll believe anything because it's in writing. It has all the credibility of a late-night infomercial.
NCDPpolitics stands by its endorsement of Kevin Smith for party Secretary for his straightforward emails that do not insult SEC members' intelligence with fake endorsements. We will publish a separate article later today on Kevin Smith's own January 24th message.
Below is Williams' latest email message sent on January 24, 2011 in its entirety for readers to view for themselves:
Williams sent out yet another of his supposed "endorsements" emails to the State Executive Committee members of the NCDP. In his latest email, once again, Williams included a long list of unattributed, positive comments that support Williams for party secretary. Each comment is in the form of a quote but not one quote includes the name of the supposed author! Treating the SEC members like mindless sheep is definitely not a good trait for a potential party officer.
Sadly, Williams just doesn't get it. The point of sending out endorsement publicity is to name names. And Williams hasn't mentioned any names. Instead, he lists the county and generic title of these nameless SEC members as if you'll believe anything because it's in writing. It has all the credibility of a late-night infomercial.
NCDPpolitics stands by its endorsement of Kevin Smith for party Secretary for his straightforward emails that do not insult SEC members' intelligence with fake endorsements. We will publish a separate article later today on Kevin Smith's own January 24th message.
Below is Williams' latest email message sent on January 24, 2011 in its entirety for readers to view for themselves:
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