For those interested, DFA blog notes by the staff and Jim D.

[madfloridian]

Some of these are interesting, especially the comment about Iraq and the one about the new website. Also a link to an open call about how the endorsement process works.

http://www.blogforamerica.com/archives/006288.html

"During Wednesday's live blog with Jim Dean, there were a number of questions about DFA's national endorsement process that we didn't have time to answer. To continue the discussion, please join Tom Hughes, Chris Warshaw and I on Tuesday at 8:00pm (EDT) for an open question and answer call about DFA's endorsement and candidate support process. We will also discuss our endorsement goals for the next few months.
Thank you!

—Lakshmi Barot
DFA Political Coordinator



Here are just a few notes from the staff blogging the other day if anyone is interested. I like the comments Jim made about Richard Morrison...appreciated it. They saw we were concerned and responded.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

JimD wrote on April 27, 2005 02:23 PM:


Cheryl,
The bats shall rise again!!
(but be careful what you wish for :)

JimD wrote on April 27, 2005 02:01 PM:
Hey folks! Thanks for checking in today. I want to get on a couple of things
right away.
First I and our entire organization are very dissapointed that Richard
Morrison will not be running for Congress. We had every intention of
supporting him and had made that clear to his campaign.
I am taking Richard's reasons for not running at face value and wish the
best for him and his family.
I will also add that both myself and others intend to keep fighting for
those candidates - like Richard and Christine Cegelis - who deserve
widespread support and respect within the Democratic Party. Both of these
candidates have accomplished a great deal and we do not intend to let that
go to waste."

"So, we're taking the time at DFA to design a new site that incorporates
better discussion and collaboration tools. Our timeline is the end of the
summer and the new tools will address issues like harnessing grassroots
talent to accomplish tasks, offering activists a place to connect and giving
voters a one-stop location for information and resources.

Tara"

JimD wrote on April 27, 2005 02:14 PM:
Re Iraq,
"It was always H's (and my) position that we should not go there. It has
also always been H's position (and mine) that we can not immediately take
our troops out until there is enough security to prevent a civil war and
ensuing problems of starvation, terrorism etc. I think I speak for both of
us in saying that this is the root of our outrage about this conflict. Once
you are in, you can't just walk out - something which Bush never spoke of
but knew.
Both of us want to see our troops home ASAP"

Lakshmi Barot DFA wrote on April 27, 2005 02:24 PM:

"Hi everyone,

In response to the questions about 2006 races...

DFA is concentrating on 2005 races exclusively for a couple of reasons.
First, after this really tough election year, keeping everyone interested in
2005 races is our top priority. As you guys know, we are committed to
running candidates in down ballot elections during so called "off election
years" because that is our first step toward taking back our country.

The second reason is pretty simple--many filing deadlines for Congressional
races have not passed and will not pass until sometime in 2006. In the name
of fair play, we must have a clear idea of all the candidates in a race
before DFA can endorse a candidate.

In the meantime, I would continue to encourage Meetups to stay involved
because you are our best resource for knowing which races have captured your
attention.

Thanks,

Lakshmi
[e-mail]

PS--Thanks for all your great recommendations for A-List candidates. Keep
them coming!"

JimD wrote on April 27, 2005 02:28 PM:
"Re DemFest
For those who do not know ( and I know many of you do), DemFest is going to
be a awesome weekend. There are close to a thousand rsvps so far and the
MViMV and Democracy for Texas group have done a great job organizing the
weekend. 'Hope you can make it and 'Hope to see you there."

JimD wrote on April 27, 2005 02:33 PM:

"In Maryland,
I can only speak for DFA. We need to do a better job of reaching out, and
figuring out better ways to organize in communities that do not necessarily
use internet for political organizing. Up until now, joining DFA has been a
self-selecting process because of the internet. The good news is that we are
starting Meet-ups in communites where we have not been (South Bronx Harlem)
that are sure to enhance our diversity' and our relationship with Latinos
for America is helping us get involved with more grassroots work in Latino
communities. Long way to go here."

"dina rae wrote on April 27, 2005 02:46 PM:

Jim's public schedule for the next few weeks:

May 6 - DFA fundraiser in Philly
May 7 - Harrisburg, PA organizing convention
May 7 - Mt. Airy Day - with LeAnna Washington (DFA-list candidate)
May 20 - DFA fundraiser in Portland, OR
May 21 - day - Portland organizing convention
May 22 - evening - DFA fundraiser in Seattle
May 23 - day - Everett, WA organizing convention
June 3 - (ten.) DFA fundraiser in Boston
June 4 - Worcester, MA organizing convention
June 17-19 - DemocracyFest - Austin, TX"