Donkey Tales

Donkey Tales, Feb. & March 2010

Jul 18th

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Donkey Tales, February & March 2010, Vol. 2, Issue 2

The e-newsletter of the Johnson County Democratic Party

207 S. Mill Street

Cleburne, TX

www.jcdemocrats.com

817-558-4009

Dear Johnson County Democrats,

It’s almost that time again. Tuesday, March 2, is primary day and while we don’t have any contested local Democratic Party races, the campaign to see who will be the party’s nominee for Texas Governor ought to be sparking your interest. Although there are some other candidates, the front-runners appear to be Bill White and Farouk Shami. (You can find out more about them both at the Texas Observer website, http://www.texasobserver.org/cover-story/the-chosen-one.) Whichever one you choose, be sure to vote.

The race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination has turned really nasty (check out this link, http://www.texasobserver.org/cover-story/the-chosen-one) and it ought to be even more fun for us political junkies to see how it turns out. A run-off for that nomination would be good news for our candidates.

Are You a Discouraged Democrat? … Don’t Be.

We know … a Republican is sitting in the Senatorial seat formerly held by Ted Kennedy! Hate spewing teabaggers are holding rallies in our county; we don’t have a full slate of Democratic candidates; Republicans don’t even bother to note their party affiliation on their campaign signs. Yes, we live in what may be the most “conservative” section of the country.  Are you freaked, yet?

Those of us who can remember when Johnson County (and every elected official in the county) was Democrat — until the radical transition in the 1990s — probably aren’t. In politics, we know anything can happen.

The Bush recession has frayed the nerves of the American people and it hasn’t been easy or quick to turn it around.  President Obama and the Democratic Congress, including our own Rep. Chet Edwards, have made great strides to solving the problems, however.

Voters vote their pocketbooks and the only way many see to vent their frustration with the slowness of the recovery, right now, is to “vote the bums out.”

Remember, though, that the “bums” who are in power in Texas are Republicans. And, they are the same ones who enthusiastically supported the GOP as the Bush Administration drove the country to almost ruin. Texans need to be reminded that it is the Republican leadership of Texas — with Gov. Rick Perry at the helm — that has failed the people of Texas.

The general election is not until November. We’ve got plenty of time to do that.

What we must do, here at the grassroots level, is not let them get away with blaming Democrats for their mistakes. We need to unite, organize and get out the vote like never before. We have to be out there block walking, holding house parties and talk, talk, talking to our friends and neighbors about our candidates. Get to know John Greene, who is running for state representative, and Angela Ecord, who is running for Johnson County constable in commissioner’s pct. 4. Donate to their campaigns, volunteer.

You can help turn Johnson County blue (remember when no one thought Dallas County would be run by Democrats?) by volunteering, becoming a sustaining member of the JCDP and helping to organize your precinct. It’s time to be proud to be a Democrat. — Pam H.

What Else You Need to Know About Primary Day

PRECINCT CONVENTION: As most of you are aware, the night of the March 2nd primary (after the polls close), there will be a precinct convention in each precinct statewide. By Texas law (Election Code-174.021-174.027), we are required to hold a precinct convention in each voting precinct. The precinct convention materials must be available at each of the voting sites whether someone attends or not.

It is at the precinct convention that delegates to the county convention and eventually to the Texas Democratic Party Convention are selected. The convention is in Corpus Christi, this year, on June 25 & 26. If you’ve never been to a state convention, now is the time to become a delegate. It ‘s an experience you won’t forget.

The precinct convention is where our precinct chairs come in. If you’re a chair, it is your job to convene the convention, fill out the provided forms and make sure that a convention chair (usually the precinct chair) is elected to preside over the meeting. For those precincts that don’t have chairs, an attendee who voted in the Democratic primary may convene the convention.

After the precinct convention is over, the convention chair will gather all of the materials that evening and return the materials to the county chair (in person or mail) as soon as possible.

Even though several precincts are combined into one polling location, each one should hold a separate pct. convention.

Just FYI, the number of delegates each precinct will send to the county convention is based on the number of votes Chris Bell, the Democratic candidate for Governor, received per precinct in November 2006.

For precinct chairs who haven’t held a precinct convention before, and even for those who have, there is valuable information about how to conduct it online.

A webinar on the Precinct Convention process has been posted to the Grassroots Resources page of the Texas Democratic Party website, http://www.txdemocrats.org/resources/grassroots-resources.

This is a secure page

Username:  txdemocrats Password:  demswin

Take Action

Volunteer

Precinct Chairs: Johnson County has 34 voting precincts, but the JCDP has only half that number of precinct chairs. Precinct chairs are volunteers but they make up the backbone of the Party. Among some not-so-tough duties, they serve as the County Executive Committee, which is designated to make important decisions for the local party.

If you live in one of these precincts, please consider becoming a chair. The Executive Committee appoints precinct chairs to open seats between elections.

Chairs are elected by voters, however, and their names appear on the ballot during the Party primary. Filing to run for this office has already begun and forms are available at JCDP headquarters. Candidates can file for open or filled seats.

Home Work:

*Make telephone calls for volunteers and reminders

*Update and maintain databases

*Prepare lists and information for voter contact activities

*Plan events

*Join or support a candidate*s campaign

*Call your elected officials and let them know about the issues. (Calling Hutchison or Cornyn will probably be futile, but at least they’ll know that all Texans are grazin’ with the herd.)

Chet Edwards * 817-645-4796, 202-225-6105.

John Cornyn * 972-239-1310.

Kay Bailey Hutchison * 214-362-3500.

Online Clearinghouse for Democratic Action: http://www.actblue.com

We Need Your Help to Make This Primary Successful!

Election Workers:

We need some standby clerks to work at the polls throughout the county, on primary day, to fill in for workers who don’t show up.

Each precinct needs at least two workers, hopefully more, and we must fill those spots with loyal Democrats. You do not have to live in the precinct you are assigned to.

Please consider volunteering. It really is fun, and although it makes for a long day, the pay*s not bad, the company is good and it*s interesting to watch the Republican voters glare at you from across the room.

To volunteer, call Chair Bill Conover (817)  or Pam Humphrey (817-447-1403).

Upcoming Events

Return Watchin’ & Pizza Eatin’ Party

When: Tuesday, March 2, after the polls close

Where: JCDP headquarters

Why: We’ll have pizza. Bring your favorite drinks. Watch the returns with the area’s loyal Democrats for some conversation and fun. All Democrats are invited.

JCDP Executive Committee Meeting

When:  Saturday, March 11, 6:30 p.m.

Where: JCDP headquarters, 207 S. Mill St., Cleburne.

What: This is a statutory meeting to canvass the votes from the March 2 primary. It is important that all members of the committee attend.

Agenda:

Order of Business

(1) Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance;

(2) Call to Order;

(3) Roll Call;

(4) Statutory Business;

a) Canvas of the JCDP Primary Election Votes;

b) Appointment/Elections for Vacant Precinct Chair Positions;

(5) Old Business;

(6) New Business;

a) Discussion and Action on Holding the JCDP 2010 Primary Run-Off Election;

b) Discussion and Action on Holding the JCDP County Convention on Saturday, March 20, 2009;

c) Appointment of County Convention Committees:

i) Preliminary Credentials Committee;

ii) Rules and Procedures Committee;

iii) Platform and Resolutions Committee;

iv) Fundraising and Awards Committee;

v) Other Committees, as necessary or required.

(7) Announcements; and

(8) Adjournment.

JCDP County Convention

This year’s county convention will be held on March 20, at the Student Union building at Hill College in Cleburne.

Delegates elected at the precinct conventions should be there. If you want to be a delegate to the state convention, be sure to sign up.

Fun & Fundraising

Precinct Chair LuAnne Leonard is in charge of planning a fundraising dinner/party/fandango to follow the county convention.

We are also accepting nominations for the first annual JOHNSON COUNTY DEMS’ DONKEY DUNG AWARDS – for Republicans in three categories: local, state and national.

Yep, as LuAnne says, a “heapin’ pile of Donkey poo for the biggest right-wing losers. Nominations are being taken, now.

Already nominated:

Local – Dan Hunt, State – Darren Yancy, and National – Virginia state delegate Bob Marshall.

Voting will take place at the end of the precinct conventions.

We still need speakers for the event, items for the silent auction, and eager Democrats ready to lay out our plan to take Johnson County back (for the Dems) one voter at a time!

To volunteer to help out, contact LuAnneat : luanneleonard-cp@att.net.

Grass Roots Annual Gift Campaign

The JCDP has begun its Grass Roots Annual Gift Campaign.  Your financial contribution, no matter the amount, is crucial to our success, so if you haven*t responded, please do so.

You’ll find a form at the bottom of this newsletter that you can use to make your financial contribution.

You can also go to www.actblue.com on the internet to make your contribution to the Johnson County Democratic Party.

The Johnson County Democratic Party is working hard to organize at the grassroots level.

We are proud of our past and hopeful for our future.  Please join us in this effort and give thoughtful consideration to how you can contribute your time, talent, and treasure to our work right here at home in Johnson County.  Your support is vital.

Election Calendar

March 2, 2010  -  PRIMARY ELECTION

March 20, 2010 * JCDP County Convention, 1:30 p.m., Hill College campus, Cleburne (site is tentative)

April 5, 2010  -  First Day of Early Voting in Primary Run-off

April 9, 2010  -  Last Day of Early Voting in Primary Run-off

April 13, 2010  -  PRIMARY RUN-OFF

June 25 & 26, 2010 — Texas State Democratic Convention, San Marcus. (Can you say ALLLLLLRIGHT?”)

Some things never change:

The Republicans have a "me too" candidate running on a "yes but" platform, advised by a "has been" staff. -Good ol’ Adlai!

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Donkey Tales, January 2010

Jul 18th

Posted by pam in Donkey Tales

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DONKEY TALES

The e-newsletter for the Johnson County Democratic Party

Issue 1, vol. 2

January 2010

Dear Johnson County Democrats:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Yeah. I know. I told you this would be out before Christmas, but were you really looking for it? Or, were you too busy getting ready for the celebrations ahead?  Me, too.

It seems like only yesterday that we moved into our new digs, got a new Party Chair and started work on the 2010 elections – actually it’s been two whole months — but here we are, already, with the first Donkey Tales of 2010!

Please don’t delete it. Read it and pass it on.

The last few months of 2009 were exciting ones for Texas Democrats what with Tom Shaffer  and Kinky Friedman getting out of the governor’s race, newcomer Karouk Shami getting in, Bill White switching  from running for Senator to running for Governor (and immediately becoming the front runner), and Hank Gilbert moving from the Governor’s race to  the Agriculture Commissioner’s.

Here in Johnson County, we have at least two Democratic candidates, including Burleson attorney John Greene, who’s running for the District 58 Texas House seat currently held by Republican Rob Orr. Of course, anybody would be better for the district than Orr. Greene, however, is an outstanding candidate with solid Democratic convictions. (Check out the story about him from the Cleburne Times-Review reprinted in this newsletter. And, while you’re at it, you might give a call to the Star Group and ask why its newspapers throughout the county refuse to cover anything having to do with Democrats.)

The annual Christmas party on Dec. 5, was a lot of fun and a bunch of us, including John Greene and his wife Julie,  had even more fun taking donations of canned goods to Operation  Blessing in Cleburne and Harvest House in Burleson , the week before Christmas. The food will go to help needy families throughout the county. Both groups were very appreciative. Thanks to everyone who made donations.

The new JCDP website will be online this week. You can go there to find the latest information about what’s going on, on the local, state and national political scene. The address is www.jcdemocrats.com. Check it out and, please, leave comments,

Upcoming Events

Ribbon Cutting and Photo Op

The Cleburne Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting at the new JCDP office on Tuesday, Jan.. 5 at 4 p.m. The local press (at least the ones  from Cleburne) will probably be there to take photos, so we need some warm bodies to be there to show  that Democrats do have a presence in the county.

Monthly Pot Luck Dinner and Democrat Confab

Bring your favorite dish and join your fellow Democrats for some good conversation, 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 5, at the JCDP offices, 207 S. Mill St. in Cleburne.

Executive Committee Meeting

The Executive Committee will hold a statutory meeting (meaning it’s required by election law) at 3 p.m., Jan. 25, at the JCDP offices. The committee will  discuss the upcoming election and hopefully appoint new members to the committee

Deadline for Candidate Filings Looming

If you’re planning on running for a county office, contact the JCDP as soon as possible. Filing forms for local candidates are available at the office and at Party Chair Bill Conover’s law office, just down the street. A notary public is available to notarize the forms.

JCDP News

Grass Roots Annual Membership Campaign

In December, the Johnson County Democratic Party launched its Grass Roots Annual Membership Campaign. Your financial contribution, no matter the amount, is crucial to our success. Watch your mail for your personal letter from our new County Chair, Bill Conover, and a response form you can use to make your financial contribution. You can also go to actblue.com on the internet to make your contribution to the Johnson County Democratic Party.

The Johnson County Democratic Party is working hard to organize at the Grass Roots level. We are proud of our past and hopeful for our future. Please join us in this effort and give thoughtful consideration to how you can contribute your time, talent, and treasure to our work right here at home in Johnson County. Your support is vital.

Sustaining Members

Thanks to these Democrats who have already made pledges or contributions:  Janet Thomas, Gary Yawn, Fair Yawn, Randy Hanna, Robert Calahan, Ken Miser, Sonya Woodall, Carl Flores, Bill Conover and Pam Humphrey

Update

Have you checked out the JC Democrats page on Facebook? Randy Hanna is overseeing the page, so if you’re a Facebooker, be sure to sign up as a fan. The page is not an official publication of the JCDP, so feel free to post your opinions, comments, etc. Getting snarky about Republicans is not out of the question.

Do you know how to find the JCDP?  The new office is located at 207 S. Mill St. in Cleburne and the phone is 817-558-4009 (a metro line.) Due to funding problems, we may not be able to staff the office full-time, so it’s better to call before you come. If no one is in the office, leave a message and your call WILL BE  returned.

Support Your Local Democratic Candidates

Democrat Greene enters District 58 race (from the Cleburne Times-Review, www. Cleburnetimesreview.com)

By Matt Smith/msmith@trcle.com

Burleson resident John Greene recently filed to run as a Democrat in the Texas House District 58 race.
State Rep. Rob Orr, R-Burleson, the incumbent, also filed for re-election recently.
Orr will face Cleburne Mayor Ted Reynolds in the March 2 Republican primary. Candidates have until Jan. 4 to file.
“I’m running as a Democrat, but I’m very pro business, something the incumbent holds himself out as being, but he’s not done anything to generate a thriving Main Street,” Greene said.
Greene, an attorney, earned his undergraduate degree from Baylor University and his law degree from Southern Methodist University. In between, he earned a master’s degree in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia.
Greene said transportation, education and job creation are among his primary concerns.
“What prompted me to get into this race is that I feel District 58 needs more leadership and vision from their state representative,” Greene said. “The North Texas economy is one of the most powerful in the nation, and we need to work harder to get Johnson County more involved in it.
“Otherwise, Johnson County may get left behind, an afterthought. That leads to stagnant or declining property values, not enough to build a good tax base on. We need to build that base to help improve education, teacher salaries and attract more jobs.
“I understand that people like small towns and small town values. We do too. That’s why we moved here from Fort Worth. But there’s also a bad part of not moving forward. You can get in a situation where people are moving out of Cleburne and Burleson instead of moving in.
“Orr has done nothing to address these issues. It also takes imagination, which I think is lacking in our current incumbent.”
Greene said he is a strong proponent of plans calling for light rail and the extension of Texas 121 into Johnson County.
“That’s what makes the county attractive to employers and businesses looking to relocate,” Greene said. “Transportation is kind of like the body’s circulation system. If you can’t get there easily, you go somewhere else.”
Greene and his wife, Julie Greene, have two children, Virginia and Evan Greene. They are members of First Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth.

Precinct Chairs Needed

Johnson County has 34 voting precincts, but the JCDP has only half that number of precinct chairs. Precinct chairs are volunteers but they make up the backbone of the Party. Among some not-so-tough duties, they serve as the County Executive Committee, which is designated to make important decisions for the local party. If you’re interested in becoming a precinct chair, or assisting a sitting chair, please consider becoming a chair. The Executive Committee appoints precinct chairs to open seats between elections.

Chairs are elected by voters, however, and their names appear on the ballot during the Party primary. Filing to run ends soon and forms are available at JCDP headquarters. Candidates can file for open or filled seats

In Memory

Mrs. Pauline Boyd, longtime Precinct 10 Election Judge passed away on Dec. 23. Mrs. Boyd was devoted to God, Family, and Country and her service to Johnson County was an inspiration.
Please take a minute to visit the Obituary Notice for Pauline F. Boyd, and pay your respects.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dfw/obituary.aspx?n=pauline-f-boyd&pid=137758917

Take Action

Volunteer

For more information about any of these opportunities or to volunteer, send us an e-mail at jcdems@att.net, call the JCDP (817-558-4009) or Secretary Pam Humphrey (817-447-1403).

Election Workers: Several openings available. These are paid positions and they are crucial to the operations of our elections. You must have the time available to fulfill the job, but you do not have to live in the precinct you are assigned to. Fluency in Spanish is a plus and bilingual persons (Spanish & English) are encouraged to apply.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, we need 30 bilingual election judges or clerks to work at the polls during the primary, March. Each precinct needs at least two workers, hopefully more, and we must fill those spots with loyal Democrats.

If you’ve never worked an election before, or even if you have, there will be training on how to do the job put on by the JC elections administrator. It really is fun, and although, it makes for a long day, the pay’s not bad. (We hear rumors of $8-10 an hour this time around.)

The pay is $8.50 per hour for 14 hours, totaling $119.00 for a day’s work, plus the chief judge will be paid an additional $15 for picking up and dropping off the ballot boxes and materials.

Online Clearinghouse for Democratic Action: http://www.actblue.com/

Home Work:

  • Make telephone calls for volunteers and reminders
  • Update and maintain databases.
  • Prepare lists and information for voter contact activities
  • Plan events.
  • Join or support a candidate’s campaign.

Keep in touch with your federal elected officials and let them  know how you feel about the issues that are important to you, especially Democrat Rep. Chet Edwards. Texas’ senators  Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn are probably lost causes … but call anyway. Rep.Edwards – 817-645-4796, 202-225-6105; Cornyn – 972-239-1310; Hutchison – 214-362-3500.

Campaign for Health Care:

OFA (Organizing for America), the local groups that worked for the Barack Obama presidential campaign are holding phone banks for health care throughout the month, in Tarrant County. For more information, visit the website: www.my.barackobama.com/page/group/Obama-TarrantCountyTexas.

Texas Democratic Party News

Itching to Get More Involved?

Check out the new TDP website at www.txdemocrats.org and follow the Texas Democratic Party on our newest social media applications. The 2010 elections are just around the corner and we want to make sure you have access to every tool necessary to gear up, localize and elect Democrats.

There’s plenty of online training available, as well as inspirational videos, candidate information, volunteer opportunities, resources for candidates, links to the TDP’s Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages, and  lots more. It’s especially important to give your opinion about the “Texas Two-Step” process for electing delegates to the county and  state conventions. A committee of the Texas Democratic Executive Committee has recommended changes, since there were so many complaints after the 2008 presidential election. Let the leadership know what you think.

2010 Election Calendar

PRIMARY ELECTION – March 2, 2010

PRIMARY RUNOFF ELECTION – April 13, 2010

GENERAL ELECTION – November 2, 2010

Just for fun

How to Tell If You’re a Natural-Born Republican

By Ken Kupchik, Air America Radio

Since almost no one is willing to identify with the GOP these days, it can be difficult to diagnose GOP conservatism. Here are some tips to help determine if you are a Republican at heart:

10) You refused to share your toys in kindergarten, saying it would put you on a dangerous path to socialism.

9) You get angry when there are choices for languages on an automated call because you still don’t have a good grasp on English.

8) You hate those “elite Hollywood liberals” but refuse to cancel your Netflix account.

7) You go to tea bagger rallies because you have no job thanks to the recession that “started under Obama.”

6) You watch Fox News, but unlike most people actually take it seriously.

5) You become absolutely livid about imaginary tax increases.

4) You are against wasteful programs like Medicare, but also against cutting waste from programs like Medicare.

3) You criticize Michael Moore for his weight, without being able to refute a single claim that he makes in his documentaries.

2) You can enter any collective noun into the following sentence “The ______ are screwing everything up” except for the correct ones.

1) You find yourself saying “no” even to things that you actually want, like ice cream, and health care.

Here’s to a Wonderful, and Progressive, 2010!

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