11/17 Dean Birthday and Post Election Party


From: Patricia Vunderink


Johnson County Democracy for America has reserved the North Ridge
Shelter in Coralville for on the date of Howard Dean's Birthday and for
a Post Election Party.

When: Wednesday November 17
Time: 6-8 pm
Where: North Ridge Shelter off Holiday Road. There is limited parking
in the lot off Holiday Road but extensive parking at the Best Buy end
of Coralridge Mall with a walk through the tunnel under I-80.

http://www.coralville.org/northridge.asp


Bring: Something to share, a beverage, your own table service

We plan to have an open mike. Story tellers and musicians are welcome.
We hope to have birthday cake and lots of candles and fun.

Spread the word.

If you plan to come or have questions, RSVP to Pat Vunderink by e-mail
at pat-vunderink@mchsi.com or voice mail at 351-4961 or to Phil Mears
at pmears4135@aol.com. Your RSVP will let us make better plans for
dessert and space.

You do not have to be a Dean caucuser to attend.

Cheers.

pv


--
***************
Patricia L. Vunderink
1152 Hunters Run, IC IA 52246
319.351.4961
pat-vunderink@mchsi.com
pat-vunderink@uiowa.edu
patvunderink@jeo.net
****************


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- posted by John @ 9:11 PM

 
Art Small's thank you

From: "Art Small III"

Dear Friends,

The race is now at an end. It was my honor to represent the Democratic
Party
in this election. I feel respect and gratitude towards the several
hundred
thousand Iowans who cast their ballots for me; towards the hundreds of
volunteers and contributors who put their faith in this campaign; and
keenly
towards my campaign staff and my family, who stood by me through a hard
but
rewarding fight.

You might well ask, Was it worth it? What did we accomplish together?
Let me
tell you what we accomplished.

I'll start with a personal confession: I didn't pull myself up by my
bootstraps. I did come from a poor family, and sure, I worked hard. But
no
matter how hard I worked, I would never have made it without Social
Security
and Medicare, to look after my folks in their old age. I would never
have
made it without the GI Bill, to fund my college education after I gave
three
years service to this country in the Army. Those were Democratic
programs.
Opportunity. That's what I had.

That's why I ran for U.S. Senate. I have seen (we have seen) the ideal
of
the United States as an opportunity society being destroyed.
We made Charles Grassley answer for his conduct as Senator. When all
these
newspapers wrote their editorials about this race, what did they talk
about?: Grassley's lost his commitment to fiscal responsibility / the
deficit has exploded on his watch / Grassley's Medicare bill is a big
giveaway to the pharmaceutical industry that does virtually nothing to
help
seniors deal with their urgent need for affordable drugs / Grassley's
become more arrogant, aloof, more dependent on out-of-state
contributors.
He's unwilling to face the voters.

All our issues! We set the agenda for this race. We held Charles
Grassley to
account for the arrogance, the irresponsibility, the gross incompetence
of
his long tenure in Washington. I daresay, tonight and these last few
months,
we scraped off a chunk of the telflon coating on ol' Aw Shucks Chuck.
We made Charles Grassley spend his war chest on himself, instead of
against
other Democrats. Charles Grassley spent over $5.6 million on this
election.
Over $5.6 million! Against my $110,000. That's $5.6 million dollars he
did not have available to give to other Republicans. $5.6 million that
did not go to support George Bush against
John Kerry. $5.6 million that did swing into opposition against
Congressman
Leonard Boswell. $5.6 million that did not support Republican
candidates in
Iowa's key legislative races.

None of us ever knows which contribution makes the essential difference.
Which ride offered to the polls. Which $50 check. We are never blessed
with
that certainty: But I believe there may be some Democrat tonight who
owes his or her victory to us. We together did a huge service to the
Democratic Party.

What did we learn?

We learned many things. Let's focus on two lessons.

First: if you want to own something, you have to pay for it yourself.
Children expect something for nothing. Grown-ups understand that if
something is worth having, there is usually a price.
There is a price for governing ourselves. It is this: we must pay for
our
own government. We The People must understand this: we have to pay,
ourselves, for the elections by which we choose our leaders.
Right now, today, here, in America, the people we are allowed to
consider
for leadership positions in our society are the ones pre-approved by
corporate paymasters. George Bush and Chuck Grassley and all their rich
supporters have been looting the public treasury and the public trust to
advance private wealth. They?\'ve been able to do it because we let them
decide who we will treat seriously.

When I say that, I'm not inviting you to feel sorry for me. You
shouldn't.
I'll be fine. The ones you should worry about are yourselves. My kids
and
grandkids, people that age, are the ones who need to grab control of the
government back from the big corporate interests.

No body likes to pay. I hate paying, for anything. Ask my family: I'm
cheap!
I won?t throw out a old can of paint, even one that's half-empty (or,
as I
prefer to think, half-full). But I know, and you know, that we don?t own
what we won?t pay for. I am cheap, but I sure do like a bargain. Public
financing of our own democratic elections would be the biggest bargain
we as
a free people could ever buy for ourselves.

We also learned something about trying. We learned that sometimes it is
vastly better to fight and try, even knowing you are going to lose. To
look
on your democracy, your dream of the kind of nation we could be, the
nation
we deserve to be -- to see that dream brutalized, destroyed right in
front of
you, in plain sight, and to say -- Oh, never-mind, I can't be bothered
to
defend what I hold sacred.? What a terrible thing that is for the
spirit.
I am honored that you chose to join me in defending what we hold sacred.
I want to honor especially my volunteers, my staff and my family, who
put
everything into this fight. Everything. Their time, their sweat, their
tears, their dreams. Thanks to everyone who gave of themselves because
they
believed in this vision of America as an opportunity society -- a
country
where the place you start doesn?t dictate where you end up.We did not
win this time, but we stood up with honor.

My wife Mary Jo has been with me in this campaign, and in every other.
We've
worked together on every Democratic presidential election since John F.
Kennedy's. We built together the home where three kids grew to healthy
adulthood. We've been married fourty-four years. I can't put into words
what
that means, what she means, to me. I'll simply trust that she knows.
So we lost. A waste of time, you might say. No. If it were always easy,
or
always fun, it wouldn?t be that much of a big deal to do it. It's the
time you waste on your dreams that makes them special. If your spirit,
your
sweat, your dreams were what you wasted time on in this campaign, I
promise
you: This was time well wasted.

This is my last campaign. After sixteen years in the Iowa Legislature
and
two statewide races, it's time to pass the torch. For the fights you
will fight after this, please accept my blessings. I discharge you from
my
service. But I hold you to a promise: You have to keep at this. Would
you
really want it otherwise?

You that outlive this day and drive home safe, will yearly on the vigil
feast your neighbors and say, "Tomorrow is Election Day."
Then you strip your sleeve and show your scars, and say
"These wounds I had on Election Day."
And never an Election Day shall go by,
From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be
remembered.
And gentlefolk in Iowa who sat this one out will think themselves
accursed
they were not here!
They shall hold their life stories cheap! While any speaks,That fought
with us.
Upon this Election Day!

It has been an honor to serve with you.

All the best,
Arthur Small, Jr.

P.S. You would help us out a lot if you could contribute one last time
to
help us retire our campaign debt
(https://services.myngp.com/ngponlineservices/contribution.aspx?
X=Cyp3P%2bh5
4lD7%2f84gtREQjA%3d%3d). Last time I'll ask, I promise. Paid for by
Art Small
for Senate P.O. Box 710 Iowa City, IA 52244-0710


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- posted by John @ 9:11 PM

 
Help Art Small retire his campaign debt

From: "Art Small III"

November 10, 2004

Dear Friends,

As many of you heard, my father, Art Small, Jr., ran this year as the
Democratic nominee in the U.S. Senate race in Iowa
(http://www.artsmallforsenate.com/). He challenged four-term incumbent
Republican Charles Grassley -- the chair of the Senate Finance
Committee, and
a committed Bush loyalist. My father stepped forward because no other
Democrat would. Before my father stepped forward, Grassley was poised
to run
unopposed, notwithstanding his support for the war raging in Iraq, and
his
leading role in crafting tax cuts that enriched the already wealthy
while
bringing dangerous risks to the fiscal integrity of the United States.
My
father felt that to have no debate on such fundamental questions was
simply
wrong, and evidence of an alarming breakdown in the process of our
democracy. Dad flung himself into the breach.

It is hard to run against the Chair of the Senate Finance Committee.
Grassley raised over $7 million dollars, almost two-thirds from
out-of-state, many from individuals and PACs tied to the industries he
oversees. Of this, Grassley spent $5.6 million, much of it on television
advertisements highlighting the incumbent?s practice of mowing his own
lawn
(and, by inference, his commitment to continue doing so). My father
raised
about $60,000, mainly from in-state, mainly in small donations, entirely
from individuals. His issues-focused campaign cost about $110,000. This
cause was righteous; but no miracles came. November 2 offered
disappointment, but no surprise. Against Goliath, this time, David lost.

I am writing to ask you to help my parents retire their campaign debt
(https://services.myngp.com/ngponlineservices/contribution.aspx?
X=Cyp3P%2bh5
4lD7%2f84gtREQjA%3d%3d). It?s about $50,000. If my folks can?t raise the
money, they?ll have to cover it out of their own funds. My folks are
comfortably middle-class, but they are not rich. This would be a lot of
money for them.

Perhaps you will help us retire this campaign debt
(https://services.myngp.com/ngponlineservices/contribution.aspx?
X=Cyp3P%2bh5
4lD7%2f84gtREQjA%3d%3d) because you are thankful for the issues my Dad
raised in his campaign. Or because you feel grateful toward him for
falling
on a sword for the Democratic party. Perhaps you will do this from a
fond,
if in some cases fading, memory of me. Perhaps you will do it simply as
a
token of respect for an act that took guts.

However you find it in yourself, we would be most grateful for any help.
Click here to contribute on-line
(https://services.myngp.com/ngponlineservices/contribution.aspx?
X=Cyp3P%2bh5
4lD7%2f84gtREQjA%3d%3d). Or write a check to "Art Small for Senate,"
and send it to:

Art Small for Senate
P.O. Box 710
Iowa City, IA 52244.
(Contributions over $200 must include information about your occupation
and
employer. Contributions must come from U.S. citizens or permanent
residents,
and are not tax-deductible.)

This is that rarity in solicitations: A one-off. However you choose to
respond, I won't trouble you about this matter again. Indeed, we are
wrapping up. If you could respond by Nov. 15, that would be very, very
nice.  
(https://services.myngp.com/ngponlineservices/contribution.aspx?
X=Cyp3P%2bh5
4lD7%2f84gtREQjA%3d%3d)

To those of you I have not been in close touch with lately, please
accept my
apologies. To all, please accept my fond regards.

Best wishes,
Art Small, III


Paid for by Art Small for Senate P.O. Box 710 Iowa City, IA 52244-0710


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- posted by John @ 9:11 PM

 
Final move-out details

To: Johnson County Democrats

From: Beverly Jones

The final move from Headquarters will be this Sunday, Nov. 14, starting
at 1:00pm. We need volunteers with trucks, and as many volunteers as
possible who can help move furniture and boxes of supplies, and who can
help with general clean-up.

Contact Dave Redlawsk or Brian Flaherty with questions.


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- posted by John @ 9:11 PM

 
NO meeting tonight

From: David Redlawsk


Friends,

Just to be very clear, there will NOT be a Central Committee meeting
tonight (Wed.) The Central Committee will meet again in December; stay
tuned for details.

Again, thanks for all your hard work.

Dave Redlawsk



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- posted by John @ 9:11 PM

 
Listening Post Schedule for Supervisor Neuzil

From: "Terrence Neuzil"


(IOWA CITY IA) Terrence Neuzil, member of the Johnson County Board of
Supervisors, will be holding Government and You listening posts in
November. The listening posts are held weekly at different locations in
and around Johnson County from 11:30am – 12:30pm and provide residents
an opportunity to discuss issues and have a conversation with
Supervisor Neuzil. A list of dates and locations include:

 

Friday, November 12th at Hills Bar and Grill in Hills

 

Wednesday, November 17th at McInnerney’s Restaurant and Bar in Iowa City

 

Wednesday, November 24th at the Iowa City – Johnson County Senior
Center in the dining area.

 

For more information, please call 356-6000 or 338-3482.


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- posted by John @ 4:28 PM

 
Final Johnson Co. results

From: David Redlawsk


Friends,

I'd like to draw your attention to the FINAL election results for
Johnson
County now posted on the auditor's website at
http://www.johnson-county.com/auditor/returns/web2004.htm.

You, our Johnson County Democratic activists, outdid yourselves this
year.
We won this county for Al Gore by 13,300 votes in 2000. Well, we won it
for
John Kerry by more than 19,000!! Al Gore won 59% of the vote here, John
Kerry won 64%. And while we did not win Iowa for Kerry, what we did
here in
Johnson County was phenomenal! And let's also remember that we made
significant pickups in both the Iowa House and Senate, and the
Republicans
are no longer in control in the Senate (a 25-25 split). While we are
all no
doubt disappointed with the national outcome, we have a lot to be
pleased
about locally. But we must continue to work hard for Democratic values
so
that in the next cycle we can do even better.

Thanks again for all your hard work on behalf of Democrats up and down
the
ballot.

Dave Redlawsk
1st Vice Chair
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
David P. Redlawsk
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Political Science Director of Computing
341 Schaeffer Hall
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
(319) 335-2352
http://www.uiowa.edu/~c030111
david-redlawsk@uiowa.edu


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- posted by John @ 4:28 PM

 
News and correction on CC mtg

From: "Sarah Swisher"
 

Challenge Ballots

Well, it has been a very busy week for the Johnson County Democrats. 
We have been keeping vigil at the Auditor’s Office monitoring the
challenge and provisional votes.  Emily Silliman, Dale Shultz and Brian
Flaherty have managed to observe during all counting and challenge
board hours.  The County Republican Party has been very difficult, even
challenging disabled folks because their signatures were printed or
hard to read.   Look for Ms. Silliman’s op-ed in an upcoming PC.
 Between these three great volunteers we have covered 36 hours of
observation. Today the Auditor will be reconsidering more of the
challenges before the canvass of the votes proceeds tomorrow. Look to
the website for final challenge results.

 

Next CC Meeting

I must apologize if I have been out of touch.  I left town Friday to
take Riley Jeanne (Gary’s and my youngest) out of town for her 12th
birthday.  I turned off the cell and did not check email for three days
this weekend so I didn’t catch it when some officers beagn to wonder
about the upcoming Central Committee Meeting.  There will be no CC
Meeting in November.  When I first became an officer on the CC when
David Tingwald was Chair it was his tradition to not meet the month
after the election.  I am going to reinstate that tradition and suggest
that the December meeting should be a dinner meeting with a special
guest.  In order to accommodate that special guest the meeting may not
be on the usual Wednesday in December.  A weeks notice will be
provided. I will be in DC the 10th through the 17th this month.  Please
contact Vice Chair Redlawsk with questions or concerns.

 

The next executive committee meeting will be Sunday, November 21st at
7PM at The Mill in Iowa City. 

 

County Results

Jeff Fields kindly tallied the County Results.  We did an outstanding
job in Johnson County and what is not included in his tally is that 45
JC Volunteers left the County on Election Day to travel to Jones,
Cedar, Muscatine, Louisa and Washington Counties.  This was the perfect
end to the Neighbor to Neighbor program where JC Dems logged in 17
walks and or phone banks for state leg candidates outside of our
county.

 
• we increased voter registration by 11,000 since 2000 (10,000 since
2002),
• 65,607 people voted in this election (53,299 in 2000)
• we achieved 75% voter turnout (60% nationally)
• early voters made up 45% of the total votes (39.12% in 2000)
• we won Johnson County for Kerry by 18,144 votes.
• the Iowa Senate is now tied 25 D's to 25 R's
• the Iowa House is now 49 D's to 51 R's

 

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- posted by John @ 7:20 PM

 
Moving out of HQ

From: Beverly A. Jones


Hello Everyone,

I'm hoping to start moving furniture out of the Headquarters this
Sunday. I'll plan to be at Headquarters by 1:00 on Sunday. Michael
Eivens has a truck and will be there at 2:00. I need help finding more
trucks. I left a message for Coy Marquardt. Gina Schatteman won't be
available. If you know anyone else who has a truck available, please
go ahead and ask for his or her help. Brian and Ed Flaherty can be
there with a van. Brian suggested renting a truck, and I think that
may be the best way to go. Let me know as soon as possible if I should
make arrangements for a rental truck. I also need people to move
furniture in and out of the trucks. I hope that everyone can help.
Bring a friend. We still have lots of cleaning to do. I missed
getting ahold of Sarah Swisher today. I need Sarah or someone who can
tell me what furniture goes to the storage unit and what goes to SEIU,
and what to do with office supplies and equipment. We have the office
until Monday, Nov. 15. I'll be out of town starting Friday, Nov. 12,
so if we need to move furniture over that weekend, someone else will
have to organize it and be responsible for closing up the office.
Thanks for your help.

Beverly Jones


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- posted by John @ 1:00 PM