Dean Meetup Check In: How'd Yours Go?

[HFishbine]

Greensboro, NC

Two locations last night due to popular demand. I went to the one at the old Salvation Army chapel that now serves as a theatre. The theatre owner is "leaning" Dean but "keeping his options open." He let us use the space because he's a great guy. We had about 50 people, give or take ten.

The meeting opened with speakers from the floor. Everybody was passionate about the need for ABB, but all spoke of their special resons for being attracted to Dean, including the gentleman who cast his first presidential ballot for FDR, the man who worked on McGovern's campaign in '72 and reminded us of what a good man he was and a recently naturalized Hispanic woman (didn't hear what country she was from) who related how Bush's America is not the America she chose to become a citizen of.

I hadn't been to the last couple of meetups, so it was nice to finaly see some minorities (African American and Hispanic). Still not enough though.

We're going to South Carolina -- some of us anyway, to do some door-to-door campaigning before the Feb. 3rd primary. Efforts are being coordinated through www.scvolunteersfordean.com . Talk of coordinating a caravan with Raleigh and Charlotte Deaniacs.

We wrote letters to IA and NM voters. This time, we have their phone numbers too and were encourage to call them on the eve of the caucus/primary.

We also planned activities to collect signatures to get Dean on the NC ballot.

Buttons, pamphlets and bumber stickers were gone in a flash. Lots of enthusiasm. Looks good!

[9119495]

1. Had a member of congress at mine

and it went well. We talked about all the bullshit spewing from other candidates mouths and how it was too bad so many have choosen desparate attacks when their substance failed to bring them support.

[Hep]

2. Durham, NC

OUTSTANDING! 90% new faces, every one of them geared up to do more. We had big discussions about immigration, the war, and how we're going to win NC.

We also talked about how we might not have a primary in NC, but rather a caucus, the voting for which would take place in April and not May. We talked about how if this is the case, Dean has a chance to win BIG, since none of the other candidates have anything like the level of organization we enjoy.

The petition drive is the big thing still, but we have an 82% verification rate, which is unbelievable.

I think this was the best meetup yet.

[HFishbine]

4. Whaaa?

A caucus in NC? I haven't heard of this possibility. Is it because of the redistrciting mess? I agree this would benefit Dean, but maybe you can answer a question for me, if you know. Independents can vote in either party's primary in NC. Would that rule hold for a caucus?

on edit: Any talk of caravaning to SC?

[Hep]

5. Nope

I posted a thread about this yesterday, but since it wasn't flamebait, it dropped faster than a stone.

Independents would NOT be allowedto participate. The same rules apply to a caucus that would apply to delegate selection on the precinct and county level.

But Independents can't vote in either primary anyway. Only the D party has allowed I's to vote in their primary, a decision made in 1995 which I personally don't agree with. I'll try to find the link.

[illini]

3. Didnt get the email in time :(

[TrueBlueDem]

6. St. Mary's County, Southern Maryland

We had 10 people attending, half of which were first-timers. It wasn't the largest gathering we've had, but the local college is currently on winter break, so next meetup will surely be larger.

Just the same, we were very productive and had fun just socializing. Everyone wrote two letters and took extra writing materials for "homework."

We played Dean campaign DVDs while writing. Plus, just about everyone took home a copy of a Howard Dean DVD we got in bulk at a very good rate at http://store.howarddeandvd.com/, so they could share it with family and friends.

Our group discussed such upcoming projects as a Superbowl fundraising house party, phone-banking, and campaign literature distributions.
Members also discussed personal stories involving "No Child Left Behind" and the Bush tax cut.

We got a lot done, had a good time, and consumed plenty of lattes and sushi while doing it! (Just kidding!!!)