The DFA Training Academy is coming to New Jersey - next weekend, Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27 - and you're invited! This exciting 2-day campaign training is taking place on the beautiful campus of Monmouth University, and will also feature a fun social event in Red Bank on Saturday night. Registering is easy!
DFA Chair Jim Dean will be here, along with top campaign consultants with decades of experience to give you the skills to run a winning campaign. Topics include: field planning, voter contact, fundraising, communications, volunteer recruitment and more.
It's a tremendous opportunity for candidates, campaign staff, volunteers, activists and anyone who wants to learn from the best at one of the most fun, inspiring and informative trainings you will ever attend.
As the saying goes: "You have the power, now learn the skills!"
(This would be an incredible coup for New Jersey. DFA's Grassroots All-Star can expect to net gobs of cash, and immeasurable volunteer support. Act fast and spread the word - the first round ends midnight Sunday. - promoted by noweeman)
In just 30 seconds, you can give Linda Stender the early boost she needs to be elected in 2008. Democracy for America is having an online poll to determine its "DFA Grassroots All-Star" - their first 2008 endorsement - and New Jersey has a chance to win this great early opportunity with your help.
After nearly beating Mike Ferguson in 2006, New Jersey's progressive powerhouse Linda Stender is one of just seven candidates up for early DFA endorsement for a 2008 run for Congress.
Winning this grassroots challenge will result in a HUGE early boost in money, volunteers and support. But the contest ends midnight Sunday, so she needs your vote NOW.
Stender got huge DFA support in 2006. Local endorsement from all four local DFA groups in NJ-7 - Hunterdon, Union, Somerset & Middlesex DFAs - plus NJ for Democracy's statewide endorsement. That was followed by a national DFA endorsement, funding and mobilization. It very nearly put her over the top. She deserved every shred of it then, and we have an opportunity to do even more now.
You and your friends don't have to be members of Democracy for America (DFA) to drop in and tell DFA you want their pick to be Stender. (Though you can join DFA right here.) You just need to want an amazing progressive Democratic woman to represent New Jersey in Congress.
Winning this thing would throw a big national spotlight on Stender and New Jersey. Last year's winner of DFA's Grassroots All-Stars competition, by the way, was Jerry McNerney. That's Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-11). He lost his first congressional race, then ran a second time, and beat the dastardly Richard Pombo.
(Weather forecast: sunny, breezy and beautiful. A perfect day for volunteering. - promoted by noweeman)
Blue Jersey has been talking about the importance of Tuesday's mid-term elections - showcasing candidates, raising nearly $10,000 in small donations, and having a whole lot of fun.
Now, it's time for the real work - Getting. Out. The. Vote.
Mid-term elections have notoriously low turnouts, so every vote we turn out is critical. Wherever you are in the state - there is something for you to do TODAY to help. Go do it.
Not interested in the events near you? Then take a ride out to Flemington in Hunterdon County to see the foliage and help Linda Stender at an all-day "knock and rock" phonebank followed by live music party. For Linda to win on Tuesday, she needs to kick ass in all four counties in NJ-7 - red and blue alike. You can help.
If we want to celebrate on Tuesday night, we need to GOTV statewide - a 21-county strategy, if you will.
So, why are you still reading this? It's a beautiful day - put down the mouse, and get out of the house.
Has your Congressional District been ignored by the DCCC? Do you have enough money for your GOTV plan? Would you win your race if you got as many votes in District this year as John Kerry got in 2004? Well, before you go blaming New Jersey's grotesque gerrymandering, maybe you should stick it!
Democracy for America is offering a pack of FREE GOTV post-its to anyone who wants them. (NJ for Democracy has plenty if you need them!)
And with good reason:
Turnout for midterm elections is notoriously low, as many voters only turn-out for presidential elections. We can't let that happen this year. Every race matters on November 7....
If we get every Democrat who voted in 2004 to the polls this November, we'll win. A simple stick-it note on their front door, text book, refrigerator, or computer screen at work may be what it takes to get one of these supporters to remember to vote.
They're yours for the asking: a free and easy way to remind yourself, your friends and your family to vote. What more could you ask for?
If you get each and every one of your volunteers to go get a pack, it can very quickly add up thousands of FREE and EASY reminders to vote Democratic November 7th. And when you finish, you can tell the DCCC folks who haven't given you any money to ... well, you know.
Here at Blue Jersey we are pretty excited about the podcasts we've done thus far. And with an eye on the future, we've lined up some really intriguing interviews for the near future. Titillated? Stay tuned, I promise it's only gonna get better!
Our latest podcast installment is ready for public consumption:
It's an interview with Democracy for America chief Jim Dean, who was gracious enough to oblige my request for a sit-down. In the interview, Chairman Dean shares his hopes and insights for Election 2006, and beyond.
We're trying something new with this podcast. This one has some photos from the intervew embedded into it. If you have itunes or an ipod, you can see the photos while the podcast plays. Click here to subscribe to our itunes feed:
So check it out and feel free to let us know how you like it. The whole podcast medium is still so new and we're open to feedback. Like I said, we're committed to getting the best scoops (and the most compelling figures in the NJ political landscape) and your feedback makes us better.
Today was the DFA training session that took place at Raritan Valley Community College and below are some photos from the event. I'd estimate about 100 people came out for the training, which continues tomorrow as well. Also, our very own Jay Lassiter had a chance to interview DFA president (and Howard Dean's brother) Jim Dean (not to be confused with the famous sausage entrepreneur). We'll have a podcast of the entire interview hopefully by Monday, but for now, here's a video clip of Jay asking Jim about the future of blogging.
(Reason #11 - It's Saturday morning, it's raining - and you're reading this. (And you can register at the door) - promoted by noweeman)
The DFA Training Academy in NJ is finally here - this weekend! - and it promises to be an incredible two days of networking, learning, and fun you don't want to miss!
Not convinced? Here's 5 great reasons for you to drop your plans, and go to the training this Saturday and Sunday, August 26-27:
1- You'll meet Jim Dean, and hear what DFA is doing here in NJ and nationwide!
2- You'll learn about organizing from the Center for Civic Responsibility, and be ready to join your local county committee to energize your local party!
3- You'll improve your blogging skills or just your knowledge of blogging with none other than the folks from right here at BlueJersey!
5- You'll study with pros from around the country, and network with candidates and campaign staff from here in New Jersey as we prepare ourselves for victory in November!
I'm in the Bridgeport, CT HQ of Lamont for Senate. It's a storefront print shop and we've been putting out canvass crews and phone banking for hours in a tight, wild space, dodging vast reams of paper, machinery with pointy things and styrofoam cups all over the floor. There are cookies and voter lists on every table surface. All the land lines are in use (it's really loud in here). And at least two dozen people are standing outside where the cell reception is better.
Ned Lamont just walked in the door, to thank everybody:
Connecticut, Connecticut, Lamont, Lieberman, blah, blah, blah - what does this have to do with New Jersey? Why does it matter in NJ if some folks from Blue Jersey (yes, including me, along with scores of DFA members and other progressives from neighboring states) traveled to Connecticut this weekend to volunteer for Lamont?
Here's why. As Tom Hughes, DFA's executive director, said in an email to members today:
This race has changed the political landscape.
It boils down to this: We have a powerful three-term incumbent Senator on the ropes because he won't question the Republican mess in Iraq. We've shown that Democrats can't be a rubber stamp for President Bush's "stay the course" approach.
The Iraq war is the defining issue of this year's elections. It's that simple.
Simple enough for some, but a little more about why else it's so important on the flip.
Just wanted to remind you all to come out to Clifton tonight to take part in the discussion "What if Iraq is the New Vietnam?" -- it will be led by a great panel, including Rep. William J. Pascrell, Jr. (D-8), Rutgers history professor Lloyd Gardner, and Ken Dalton, President of New Jersey Veterans For Peace. The event is sponsored by NJ For Democracy, and co-sponsored by Passaic County DFA and City Belt.
We asked Ken to write a little something for City Belt. In it, he reflects on what it was like to transform from "a real right-winger" to a leading antiwar activist. Some of his experiences with the Vietnam War have eerie parallels today:
"During my sophomore year at Clifton High School in 1968 we had to watch a Ministry of Propaganda flick called 'Why Vietnam.' It was narrated by then President Lyndon Banes Johnson. It said that we had to fight the Viet Cong over there or we would have to fight them over here." (Emphasis Added)
It may not run as the lead story much lately, but if recentBlueJerseydiaries are any indication, what happens in Iraq matters in New Jersey.
So, starting this week, NJ for Democracy, local DFA groups and others are sponsoring a series of forums across New Jersey on strategies for ending the quagmire in Iraq. The forums feature panels of politicians, academics, veterans, and other experts, bringing a broad range of experience and perspective to the table.
The series begins this Thursday, August 3rd in Clifton when a panel featuring Rep. William J. Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-8), Rutgers Professor Lloyd C. Gardner, and NJ Veterans for Peace President Ken Dalton addresses whether Iraq is the new Vietnam, and seeks strategies for ending the war. The event is co-sponsored by Passaic County DFA and City Belt.
It continues Saturday, August 5th in Morristown with a panel featuring Senator Robert Menendez, Congressional Candidate Tom Wyka, Veterans Activist Joe Attamante, and Amanda Schroeder, sister of a fallen soldier, addressing issues of accountability and security. The event is co-sponsored by Morris DFA/PDA and NWNJ for Democracy, and hosted by Seeds of Peace.
And later this month, on Wednesday, August 23rd in Edgewater, Bergen Grassroots and Hudson DFA are co-sponsoring "If not now, when?" with panelists including Congressmen Steve Rothman (NJ-9) and Rush Holt (NJ-12) as well as other invited guests.
Good news for grassroots organizations and local campaigns around the state - the DFA Training Academy is coming to New Jersey on August 26-27 for a weekend full of campaign training, simulation and serious fun.
In the words of one very special former Vermont Governor, "You have the power." Now get the skills!
Competing against DFA groups from around the country earlier this year, NJ for Democracy won this training in the DFA 'Roots Tourney and now to the victors, go the skills. For two days, local activists can learn the strategies and tactics needed to harness their power and win elections. Participants learn how to develop an effective message, influence local media, run a local campaign, and build their grassroots group's attendance, activity, and effectiveness.
DFA Chair Jim Dean - and other special guests - will be in New Jersey to kick off the event, which promises to be one of the hottest tickets this summer.
When you leave this program, you'll be ready to go out and actually use the skills you learn as soon as you get home.
Campaign staffer? Volunteer? Grassroots activist? Local candidate?
Sign up today!
Tonight NJ for Democracy won the first ever grassroots tournament as over the last few days we added more members to www.dfalink.com than any other group. Kudos to all New Jerseyan's who signed up or got friends to sign up. Although I am excited that we won, we must remember that building online communities like DFA-LINK its a 365 day a year process. The power of DFA-LINK for us to organize and win progressive victories boggles the mind. Let me give an example: Right now we have about 500 people on www.dfalink.com for NJ for Democracy. Imagine having 5,000 on there or 50,000. In one night we could raise 100K for a Congressional candidate or get 500 people to a rally, or get 200 people to go canvassing for a candidate. We could change political outcomes overnight. In Morris DFA, thats what we are striving to do. We have hundreds of emails, last fall, we could get 25 canvassers out every saturday. using those canvassers, we won the 3 largest mayors races in the county, Got 45% for our assembly candidates and had our best Freeholder showing in years.
This year we are shooting for 50 every saturday. DFA-LINK makes the organizing that much easier. One Click and hundreds of people know about an event and can plan for it. I've always said that politics is a team sport and a numbers game, the more we build, the more we can achieve, so lets keep building!
Chip
Morris DFA/PDA Host
That means, if you haven't yet picked up your petitions from your municipal clerk, there are only two weekends left to get out there and get signatures.
The good news is, you probably need only about a dozen signatures.
The bad news is, you're running out of time.
This is such a simple first step for anyone seeking:
1. to get his/her feet wet in elected politics
2. to get involved in changing your party from the inside
3. to learn how things work, to meet party people, and to become a more effective and informed activist
Don't know how to go about this? Two resources you should consider:
1. The Center for Civic Responsibility has tons of helpful information to get you started. Visit here: http://jointhecampaign.org/pages/
2. Visit NJ for Democracy, www.njfordemocracy.org or DFA-Link (http://www.dfalink.com) to find your nearest local affiliate of Democracy for America or sign up for the DFA County Committee project at http://www.dfalink.com/group.php?id=654 to find people who know the ropes and, assuming you are a good progressive candidate not opposing a good progressive incumbent, will probably give you lots of help working your way through the process.
RUN, don't walk, to your municipal clerk and get those petitions!!!!!
At the DFA 7th District Candidate Forum this afternoon, it was announced that New Jersey for Democracy is endorsing Linda Stender for for the 7th District Congressional race. Matt Linfante announced that he will be dropping out of the primary and endorsed Linda, clearing the field.
The progressive caucus of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee met today in Piscataway to discuss issues, events and strategies for effecting progressive change in New Jersey, the nation, and the world.
Over 40 leaders from progressive groups around the state, including NJ for Democracy, Progressive Democrats of New Jersey, Garden State Equality, and other progressive individuals were joined by the Democratic State Committee's Richard McGrath, who addressed the caucus on the their shared vision for the state party.
The caucus then set about forming working groups to create a progressive platform on a series of issues of importance to NJ's progressive community.
(Could not have happened to a better guy. Ron is the real deal. I am so proud of DFA's endorsement. - promoted by noweeman)
Next Wednesday night, when Ron Rice, Jr. walks into Essex County DFA's Candidates Forum, he'll be walking in the door as a nationally-endorsed DFA candidate.
In an announcement entitled "Six Rising Stars," and sent across the country this morning, national Democracy for America Chairman Jim Dean, wrote this about Rice, a candidate for Newark City Council in the West Ward:
In 2002 he ran for councilman-at-large and received more votes than any previous first-time candidate in the history of Newark. His campaign is about changing the culture of city politics, empowering residents through education, and community control of all city development.
New Jersey for Democracy, the statewide coalition group of Democracy for America members, is holding elections for its 2006 Executive Board. There are seven seats to be filled, and all members (non-members join here) of NJforDemocracy are invited to apply to serve.
(NJ's grassroots have spoken. In our IRV poll, which was probably freeped, (w/182 votes cast) Holt wins with 60.4% of the votes; Menendez gets 39.6%. - promoted by jmelli)
There's s a guy named Dave who went to a great deal of trouble to write his own name in under the OTHER option in NJ for Democracy's on-line poll asking who Corzine should pick for the Senate. And a few people really really like Bruce Springsteen (duh).
Other than that, we're comfy the poll is pretty clean: 872 responses, open for one week, designed to discourage interference by accepting only one vote per IP address. We don't claim it was scientific, because it was on-line. Full results here: www.njfordemocracy.org.
Codey - who may be dropping out today - was the numbers winner but is it Rush Holt who really scored here?
Next Wednesday night, when Ron Rice, Jr. walks into Essex County DFA's Candidates Forum, he'll be walking in the door as a nationally-endorsed DFA candidate. 
