DFA supporters not registered voters?

[OrwellwasRight]

An acquaintance today asked me who I supported for DNC Chair. I said Dean. He (a non-Dean supporter) asked me why.

In a nutshell, I explained that we need someone who can speak articulately and agressively on issues that are fundamental to Democrats, and that Dean's DFA roganizationshows he can do that. I told him that McAuliffe proved once and for all (as if we didn't know already) that we need more than a technician with no message at the helm. The money was not enough when all McAuliffe could do was sit next to Ed Gillespie and say "us too, only less." Dean will call them (lying Repubs) on the carpet.

He proceeded to tell me that:

1) We don't need a message person because candidates speak for themselves (yeah, Kerry was great at that); and
2) Dean is not a good leader because his e-mail lists have been "analyzed" and found to include 60% non-registered voters, so "who cares what they think."

Anybody else heard this stat? Know where I can find any facts to counter with??

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

[madfloridian]

1. Don't bother to respond to stuff like that.

It does not even make sense.

[RogueTrooper]

2. Tell him he is being lied to

Remember it is not about facts, its about frames ;)

Ask him if, in the case of 1) why does that explain why we lost so many important elections in the last cycle.

My advice would be....

Don't focus on just the Kerry campaign but include all the Senate and Congressional pickups failures. Our failures in the last election were systematic failure, caused because we had no message.

As for two: How would anybody know that. Tell him that he is being lied to and ask him why you think people whould lie to him about that ( I think this would be the best way to re-frame that bon-mot ).

However, if he is not going to support Dean, he is not going to support Dean. Remember with Dean there is a lot of a passion and sometimes that passion is directed against Dean; from both the left and right of the Democractic spectrum. Also, if he can't vote in the DNC Chair election: Who cares! ;)

[OrwellwasRight]

4. Good ideas. Thanks. :-) nt.

[JNelson6563]

3. Just give him this

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/features/2004/11/17/dean_dozen_success_stories.php

Dean Dozen Success Stories

At the local and state level, Democracy for America and Gov. Howard Dean have reason to celebrate this year's election results. Many DFA-endorsed Dean Dozen and DFA-supported candidates won elections at all levels of government, throughout the country.

• One of the two new Democratic United States senators was a "Dean Dozen" candidate--Barack Obama (D-Ill.). Obama and the other new Democratic senator, Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), received contributions from DFA.

• One "Dean Dozen" candidate won her race for Congress, Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) and DFA contributed to five of the fourteen incoming freshman Democratic Members of Congress.

• Some of the notable non-federal success stories include:

• Both of the new Democratic governors are "Dean Dozen" candidates: John Lynch (D-NH) and Brian Schweitzer (D-Mont.)

• Two "Dean Dozen" candidates won their mayoral race: Peter Corroon was elected as mayor of Salt Lake County, Utah and Tom Potter was elected as mayor of Portland, Ore.

• Democracy for America contributed more than $600,000 to 634 candidates for non-federal office. 319 of those candidates won--a 50% win-loss record.

• "Dean Dozen" candidates were elected to state legislatures in 16 states. Candidates for legislature who received Democracy for America contributions, but were not part of the "Dean Dozen," were elected in an additional 12 states.

• Democracy for America played a large role in regaining several legislative chambers for the Democrats, including: the Colorado House and Senate, the North Carolina House, the Oregon Senate, the Vermont House and the Washington Senate. DFA also helped secure a tie in the Iowa Senate.

• "Dean Dozen" candidates were elected to the bench in Alabama and Georgia.

• "Dean Dozen" candidates also won races for soil & water commission, supervisor of elections, township clerk, county commission and constable.

Governor Dean commented on the election results:

"The Dean Dozen candidates and the hundreds of other candidates that Democracy for America supported are the future of the Democratic Party. Win or lose, these fiscally responsible, socially progressive citizens fought to take our country back and helped spread the message that to change America, Democrats must compete everywhere, including the red states."

Throughout the months leading up to the election, Governor Dean attended press conferences, fundraisers and campaign rallies, to help spread the DFA message and raise campaign funds for 50 candidates in 26 states. Many of you--our supporters--volunteered and financially supported these candidates as well and your actions were invaluable.

DFA has raised over $5 million since we became an organization in March 2004. We have donated money to 748 candidates throughout the country--in 46 states and at every level of government. We believe that Democrats will return to national prominence very soon. DFA will continue to endorse and support candidates and train campaign workers and volunteers in 2005 and beyond.

Ask him who else has done such. Seems to me many Dems have been without real leadership for too long. So long that they don't recognize it when it's right in front of them.

Julie

[OrwellwasRight]

5. Thanks for the link.

Facts are powerful.

[NYCGirl]

6. Sounds like he's pulling that outta his butt. NT

[madfloridian]

7. All of our sizable group here are registered.

All the Dean/DFA supporters I have contact with are as well. I think that was pulled out of the air.

[NoPasaran]

8. Not only are all the DFT people I know registered

Most of us are also deputy voter registrars!

[Maat]

9. Don't know what he is talking about.

We have a huge DFA group here in Temecula, Ca. - between 100-200, I think (100 that I've counted), and we're all registered.

[madfloridian]

10. Also, Howard Dean is pretty quiet about the list.

Some of it may have been sneaked out when the campaign was over, but more have been added. The group is larger since election day, larger than it was when he dropped out.

One of the DNC people he contacted suggested he share his list, and he said no.